Apparatus and method for forming beverages using a beverage cartridge and sonic energy. A cartridge may include a sonic receiver, such as a feature that extends into an interior space of the cartridge and is arranged to receive a sonic emitter that introduces sonic energy into the interior space. The sonic receiver may be excited by sonic energy, which causes the sonic receiver to itself introduce sonic energy into the cartridge.

A coating apparatus with a coating chamber configured for receiving a particulate, a horizontally-oriented rotor having a plurality of paddles mounted thereon, the rotor and the paddles defining a liquid injection path fluidly connected to a liquid injection system, the liquid injection system arranged to supply a liquid under conditions suitable to continuously coat the particulate in a manner that substantially reduces formation of caked solid-liquid mixture on inner walls of the coating chamber.

A sequencing manifold for the purpose of supplying control and supply services of pre-determined temporal sequences to fluid processing assemblies is provided. The functioning of this sequencing manifold requires that translation be applied to the sequencing ports. Actuator mechanisms may supply such translation as either continuous motion or as a series of stepwise motions. Actuator mechanism can be obtained that rely on only mechanical means without the need for a source of electricity. With such actuators, it becomes feasible to conduct the operations of fluid processing assemblies in remote and primitive locations that lack a source of electricity. One skilled in the mechanical arts can provide various actuator mechanisms to meet these requirements.

A waste absorbing media composition for use in an agitating waste non-contact toilet apparatus comprises an absorbent material, a liquid, and an indicator detectable by a sensor of the agitating waste non-contact toilet apparatus.

The subject of this application is a sequencing manifold for the purpose of supplying control and supply services of pre-determined temporal sequences to fluid processing assemblies. The functioning of this sequencing manifold requires that translation be applied to the sequencing ports. Actuator mechanisms may supply such translation as either continuous motion or as a series of stepwise motions. Actuator mechanism can be obtained that rely on only mechanical means without the need for a source of electricity. With such actuators, it becomes feasible to conduct the operations of fluid processing assemblies in remote and primitive locations that lack a source of electricity. One skilled in the mechanical arts can provide various actuator mechanisms to meet these requirements.

The figures included below with the description of attributes are intended to convey an understanding of the mechanical principles underpinning the operation of the sequencing manifold. For reasons of clarity, the figures depict configurations involving apparently geometrically flat plates rather than more complex configurations involving cylinders or circular discs. The omission of configurations involving cylinder or discs from the figures included with this application is not meant to be limiting in any manner.

A device for non intrusive agitation of a fluid is provided, including a container adapted to contain the fluid, at least one of the walls thereof includes a membrane and a main movable stirring means inside the container adapted to stir at least the fluid. The first flexible element is adapted to interfere mechanically with an external movable impulsion means, thus creating a deformation which has a mechanical interference with the main movable stirring means. This movement of such impulsion means is transmitted to the main movable stirring means by the interposition of the first flexible element.

A waste absorbing media composition for use in an agitating waste non-contact toilet apparatus comprises an absorbent material, a liquid, and an indicator detectable by a sensor of the agitating waste non-contact toilet apparatus.

A toilet apparatus has a waste material receiving bowl with an opening to receive an absorbent media and indicator and a sensor to detect a presence of the indicator in the material receiving bowl when the indicator is present in the material receiving bowl and transmit a signal indicating the indicator is present in the material receiving bowl. A control circuit receives the signal from the sensor, processes the signal to determine the indicator is present in the material receiving bowl, and causes one or more actions to be taken by the toilet apparatus based on determining the indicator is present in the material receiving bowl.

A toilet apparatus has a waste material receiving bowl with an opening to receive an absorbent media and indicator and a sensor to detect a presence of the indicator in the material receiving bowl when the indicator is present in the material receiving bowl and transmit a signal indicating the indicator is present in the material receiving bowl. A control circuit receives the signal from the sensor, processes the signal to determine the indicator is present in the material receiving bowl, and causes one or more actions to be taken by the toilet apparatus based on determining the indicator is present in the material receiving bowl.

A bag for mixing fluid volumes includes a port at a center of a first end, a second end, a first constriction, and a second constriction. The port is configured to couple to at least one fluid line for introducing and removing fluids from the bag. The second end includes a first lobe and a second lobe. The first constriction is on the first side between the first end and the second end and the second constriction is on a second side between the first end and the second end.