Dispensing devices and methods are provided. A dispensing device comprises an opening defining an insertion path extending through an internal chamber thereof, two fragmentation rollers aligned with each other within the internal chamber, with the insertion path extending therebetween, a sensor configured to sense the package within the insertion path, a first securing device having opposing surfaces configured to secure the package within the insertion path, a second securing device having opposing surfaces configured to secure the package within the insertion path, a cam operatively connecting the first and second securing devices, and an opener configured to provide an opening in the package to allow the product to leave the package. A method of dispensing a product from a flexible package is also provided.

Systems, methods, and devices are provided for mixing very small volumes of liquids, creams, and ointments. The system includes a mixing apparatus and a flexible tube in ingredients can be added to a base formulation via a connector. The mixing apparatus can mix the contents of the tube non-invasively.

A personalized skin care system that includes a dispensing device, at least one removable cartridge, a single-dose pod, and a mixing element. The removable cartridge contains a sufficient amount of skin care active to make several doses of a personalized skin care composition. The single-use pod contains a sufficient amount of base ingredient to make a single dose of personalized care composition. To provide a personalized skin care composition, one or more personalization factors are inputted into the system. The hermetically-sealed, single-use pod is placed in the dispensing device such that it is in fluid communication with the replaceable cartridge containing the skin care active. The skin care active(s) is transported to the single-dose pod and mixed with the mixing element. However, the mixing element does not come into contact with the ingredients inside the single-use pod. The resulting personalized skin care composition can then be dispensed to a user.

The extruder device with a stand is a device designed to increase efficiency of extruding substances from tube-like enclosures. The extruder device is activated by a series of leg/levers that once pushed together, engage a set of geared ratchets which in turn engages stepping gears that in turn engage torque pins which ultimately cause interlocking gear rollers to turn in clockwise and counterclockwise directions allowing the tube-like enclosure to feed through the interlocking gear rollers and thus providing the pressure to extrude the contents of the tube-like enclosures. Because of its simple design, minimal force is required to activate the mechanism thereby extruding the substance of the tube-like enclosure in an efficient and uniform manner. The already spent tube-like enclosure is collected in an enclosed cavity and at the end, disposed of once the unit is opened with relative ease.

Dispensing devices and methods are provided. A dispensing device comprises an opening defining an insertion path extending through an internal chamber thereof, two fragmentation rollers aligned with each other within the internal chamber, with the insertion path extending therebetween, a sensor configured to sense the package within the insertion path, a first securing device having opposing surfaces configured to secure the package within the insertion path, a second securing device having opposing surfaces configured to secure the package within the insertion path, a cam operatively connecting the first and second securing devices, and an opener configured to provide an opening in the package to allow the product to leave the package. A method of dispensing a product from a flexible package is also provided.

A needle drawing assistance apparatus. The apparatus includes a first planar member defining a first end and a second end and a second planar member having a proximal end and a distal end. The second planar member is secured to the first end of the first planar member at the proximal end of the second planar member via a hinge. The hinge is configured to allow the needle assistance apparatus to be freely movable between an active position and an inactive position. The inactive position is defined where the first planar member rests parallel and in contact with the second planar member. The active position is defined where the first planar member defines an angle greater than zero degrees with the second planar member.

A home beverage dispensing device for dispensing servings of a beverage, having a vessel for holding a volume of liquid. This vessel may be equipped with a refrigeration unit, or may be comprised of a removable pitcher that may be put in an external refrigerator. This invention is equipped with a radio communications controller to provide for the ability to communicate over radio frequencies such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. A special disposable beverage cartridge or beverage pouch fits into the holder. This cartridge or pouch may have pressure rupturable seals or diaphragms and contain beverage concentrate. The mixing structure also receives the optionally chilled liquid from vessel for holding a volume of liquid, and ensures that the concentrate mixes with the liquid without contacting the walls of the mixing structure.

An oral care system includes a toothbrush and a dispenser detachably coupled to the toothbrush. The dispenser includes a collapsible bladder containing an oral care material. A compression device assembly includes an actuator operably coupled to a compression device movably mounted inside the dispenser. In one embodiment, the compression device includes a feed slot that engages opposite sides of the collapsible bladder. Actuating the actuator translates the compression device in a first longitudinal direction extruding and dispensing the oral care material from the oral care product dispenser. The actuator may be slideably mounted to the dispenser in one embodiment. A ratcheting mechanism may be provided to provide indexed movement of the compression device, thereby dispensing predetermined doses of the oral care material with each indexed movement.

In compounding pharmaceuticals at the outset, the medications are typically arrive in their mass produced form (pills, creams, syrups, etc.) and are individually packaged. Some packaging forms, particularly tubes, take an excessive amount of time to empty for the medication to be used in later compound medications. Presently in this industry, human workers will squeeze the medication out of each individual tube into large bucket containers for storage until the medication is ready for mixing. The disclosed invention provides a novel apparatus and method for emptying multiple tubes at a time with limited human interaction. The apparatus uses a roller and cap-pressing method that can empty several tubes at one time, significantly increasing efficiency. The apparatus is then connected with a novel software package which controls the operation of the device and can provide a counting mechanism for contract monitoring and predicting the lifespan of the device.

An extendable bag roller for supporting a bag of material during removal of the material from the bag includes a bag support having a curved surface configured to support the bag of material on the curved surface and a roller that rolls along the curved surface of the bag support to squeeze the material out of the bag. The bag support includes a base defining a first portion of the curved surface of the bag support and an extension defining a second portion of the curved surface of the bag support, the extension being moveable to selectively increase and decrease the area of the curved surface of the bag support to accommodate different bag sizes.