A stirring device includes a tray configured to hold an ink container filled with ink, a support member configured to support the tray, a rotary member configured to support the support member, and a pedestal configured to rotatably support the rotary member, in which the tray and the support member are engaged with each other by engagement portions provided on the tray and the support member (engagement cut-out portion, engagement convex portion).

According to one or more aspects, a specimen processing method may use a cartridge comprising a chamber configured to store a liquid. The method may include: storing a specimen and a dispersion medium in the chamber of the cartridge; and rotating the cartridge about a rotational shaft to agitate the specimen and the dispersion medium in the chamber, to thereby form an emulsion in which a dispersoid containing the specimen is dispersed in the dispersion medium.

Disclosed is a gripping device for a container intended for a biological analysis, including an annular part of X axis, elastically deformable gripping fins extending radially inwardly from the annular part, the fins being capable of being deformed when a container is introduced into the annular part, the fins being evenly distributed over the circumference. Each fin has a so-called upper surface and an opposite so-called lower surface, the lower surface being intended to come into contact with the container, the lower surface having a concave zone, or vice versa.

A system for dispensing individual servings of a beverage, said system comprising: a beverage receptacle holder adapted for retaining a beverage receptacle; a plurality of dry formulation beverage mixtures; selection means for selecting one or more of said beverage mixtures for said beverage; dispensing means for measuring an individual serving quantity of said selected one or more beverage mixtures and for depositing said individual serving quantity into said beverage receptacle; fluid dispensing module for depositing an individual serving quantity of a selected fluid into said beverage receptacle; means for sealing said beverage receptacle; and means for mixing said individual serving quantity of said beverage mixture and said fluid to provide a mixed beverage for dispensing.

A wine decanter includes a reservoir that holds wine and a neck with an opening to allow wine to enter and exit the reservoir. The reservoir is generally rectangular with opposing front and rear sides and opposing left and right sides, and a substantially flat bottom. Protrusions are located on the reservoir inner surface at one of the front and rear sides or left and right sides. Each protrusion spans an entire length of one of the sides and protrudes into the reservoir thereby aerating the wine as it passes by the protrusions. All protrusions are located above the flat bottom of the reservoir such that none of the protrusions are located on the flat bottom of the reservoir, thereby allowing the wine to pool on the flat bottom of the reservoir. A base is provided that moves the decanter in a controlled back-and-forth motion to aerate the wine.

A wine decanter includes a reservoir that holds wine and a neck with an opening to allow wine to enter and exit the reservoir. The reservoir is generally rectangular with opposing front and rear sides and opposing left and right sides, and a substantially flat bottom. Protrusions are located on the reservoir inner surface at one of the front and rear sides or left and right sides. Each protrusion spans an entire length of one of the sides and protrudes into the reservoir thereby aerating the wine as it passes by the protrusions. All protrusions are located above the flat bottom of the reservoir such that none of the protrusions are located on the flat bottom of the reservoir, thereby allowing the wine to pool on the flat bottom of the reservoir. A base is provided that moves the decanter in a controlled back-and-forth motion to aerate the wine.

An apparatus for mixing viscous fluids in a container through applied rotational and oscillation motions is provided. The apparatus has a sample carrier platform mounted to a shaft along a longitudinal axis with a first mechanism imparting oscillating motion to the shaft and a second mechanism imparting rotational motion to the shaft and carrier platform along the axis simultaneously or sequentially. Couplings to the shaft allow the shaft to freely rotate at the same time as it can be pushed or pulled along the longitudinal axis. Sequence, duration and frequency of oscillations and rotations are controlled with a programmable controller.

An apparatus for mixing viscous fluids in a container through applied rotational and oscillation motions is provided. The apparatus has a sample carrier platform mounted to a shaft along a longitudinal axis with a first mechanism imparting oscillating motion to the shaft and a second mechanism imparting rotational motion to the shaft and carrier platform along the axis simultaneously or sequentially. Couplings to the shaft allow the shaft to freely rotate at the same time as it can be pushed or pulled along the longitudinal axis. Sequence, duration and frequency of oscillations and rotations are controlled with a programmable controller.

A mixer is provided for mixing a substance in a container. The mixer includes a motor; a frame configured to be controlled by the motor to rotate on an axis; a carrier disposed at a first end of the frame and configured to hold the container; a counterweight disposed at a second end of the frame opposite to the carrier, wherein the counterweight position relative to the axis is adjustable. The mixer may be a stand-alone unit, or it may be disposed in an apparatus for dispensing a cosmetic composition.