An automated computer-controlled sampling system and related methods for collecting, processing, and analyzing agricultural samples for various chemical properties such as plant available nutrients. The sampling system allows multiple samples to be processed and analyzed for different analytes or chemical properties in a simultaneous concurrent or semi-concurrent manner. Advantageously, the system can process soil samples in the as collected condition without drying or grinding. The system generally includes a sample preparation sub-system which receives soil samples collected by a probe collection sub-system and produces a slurry (i.e. mixture of soil, vegetation, and/or manure and water), and a chemical analysis sub-system which processes the prepared slurry samples for quantifying multiple analytes and/or chemical properties of the sample. The sample preparation and chemical analysis sub-systems can be used to analyze soil, vegetation, and/or manure samples.

A method includes the step of receiving a first weight value from a sensor associated with a feed mixer. A first rotation speed associated with the first weight value is monitored. A second weight value is received from the sensor associated with the feed mixer and a second rotation speed associated with the second weight value is monitored. A mixing profile is generated based on the first weight value, the second weight value, the first rotation speed, and the second rotation speed. In one embodiment, a first feed ingredient is associated with the first weight value and a second feed ingredient is associated with the second weight value.

A blending system includes a blender base and a container. The blender base includes a housing that houses a motor. The container is attachable to the blender base. The blending system includes a user device that communicates with the blender base. The user device may communicate with a remote computing device. The user device generates instructions and recipes for the blender base.

An automated computer-controlled sampling system and related methods for collecting, processing, and analyzing agricultural samples for various chemical properties such as plant available nutrients. The sampling system allows multiple samples to be processed and analyzed for different analytes or chemical properties in a simultaneous concurrent or semi-concurrent manner. Advantageously, the system can process soil samples in the as collected condition without drying or grinding. The system generally includes a sample preparation sub-system which receives soil samples collected by a probe collection sub-system and produces a slurry (i.e. mixture of soil, vegetation, and/or manure and water), and a chemical analysis sub-system which processes the prepared slurry samples for quantifying multiple analytes and/or chemical properties of the sample. The sample preparation and chemical analysis sub-systems can be used to analyze soil, vegetation, and/or manure samples.

The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a liquid acid concentrate for hemodialysis machines, with the following steps. In a preliminary step a water source (120), an acid source (130), an electrolyte tank (140) containing a mixture of electrolytes in exactly the quantity needed for the manufacture of the liquid acid concentrate, and a sodium chloride source (150) are connected to a mixing tank (110). During Step a), the quantity of water needed for the manufacture of the batch of liquid acid concentrate is introduced into the mixing tank (110). At Step b), the quantity of acid needed for manufacture the liquid acid concentrate is introduced into the mixing tank (110), the solution is stirred until a homogeneous solution is obtained. Step c) is to repeat Sub-steps c1) and c2) until the electrolyte mixture contained in the electrolyte tank is completely dissolved. At Sub-step c1) part of the solution contained in the mixing tank (110) is transferred into the electrolyte tank (140) containing the electrolyte mixture, then at Sub-step c2) the solution contained in the electrolyte tank (140) is transferred into the mixing tank, leaving the still solid constituents in the electrolyte tank. At Step d) the quantity of sodium chloride needed to manufacture the liquid acid concentrate is introduced into the mixing tank (110). Finally, at Step e), the solution is stirred and recirculated by taking it from the bottom the mixing tank (110) and reintroducing it at the top of the mixing tank until a homogeneous liquid acid concentrate is obtained. Steps a) to d) can be performed in any order, Step a) preceding always Step c).

The system, in one aspect, includes a first bulk storage container for holding a first bulk dry flowable material having a first dispensing assembly coupled with a first outlet, and a second bulk storage container for holding a second bulk dry flowable material having a second dispensing assembly coupled with the second outlet. The system, in one aspect, may further include a mixed storage vessel, as well as a controller in communication with the first dispensing assembly and the second dispensing assembly, the controller programmed to cause the first dispensing assembly to discharge the first amount of the first dry flowable material to the mixed storage vessel and cause the second dispensing assembly to discharge the second amount of the second dry flowable material to the mixed storage vessel over a comparable time period based upon weight based readings the controller receives from first and second load cells.

An automated computer-controlled sampling system and related methods for collecting, processing, and analyzing agricultural samples for various chemical properties such as plant available nutrients. The sampling system allows multiple samples to be processed and analyzed for different analytes or chemical properties in a simultaneous concurrent or semi-concurrent manner. Advantageously, the system can process soil samples in the as collected condition without drying or grinding. The system generally includes a sample preparation sub-system which receives soil samples collected by a probe collection sub-system and produces a slurry (i.e. mixture of soil, vegetation, and/or manure and water), and a chemical analysis sub-system which processes the prepared slurry samples for quantifying multiple analytes and/or chemical properties of the sample. The sample preparation and chemical analysis sub-systems can be used to analyze soil, vegetation, and/or manure samples.

An apparatus for dispensing a plurality of liquids, in particular colorants for paints, comprising a support, such as a turntable or a linear table, defining a plurality of positions and a plurality of containers holding a liquid, mounted on the support at the positions, and provided with a pump and/or a valve for dispensing the liquid from the container. At least some of the containers form, together with a respective liquid and pump and/or valve, a cartridge, which cartridge is releasably mounted in the apparatus.

The invention relates to a method for operating a food processor (1) with a base unit (2) having an electric motor and a preparation vessel (3) that can be arranged on a vessel retainer of the base unit (2), wherein the vessel retainer has allocated to it a weighing apparatus (4), which records the weight of the preparation vessel (3), wherein a calculating means of the food processor (1) determines a weight from a measured value measured by the weighing apparatus (4). In order to advantageously use the weighing apparatus (4) to recognize a current state of the food processor (1), it is proposed that the calculating means ascertain a time weight gradient based on at least two weights determined at different times.

A blender includes an integrated scale that may be used to weigh ingredients added to the blender. The integrated scale is configured and mounted atop the blender to allow for a vessel that receives ingredients to sit apart from a motor clutch mechanism of the blender when measuring ingredients. The integrated scale is also designed and mounted to allow the vessel to engage with the motor of the mixing apparatus when blending and/or mixing ingredients, while not engaging the integrated scale.