The present invention relates to a novel, lighted seasoning dispensing device. The device is used in dimly lit environments, such as restaurants, bars, and outdoors at night. Specifically, the lighted seasoning dispensing device may be used for dispensing salt and/or spices to prevent over seasoning. The device comprises a handheld shaker with a plurality of holes at one end for dispensing salt and/or spices. The device also comprises a built-in LED lighting mechanism that is angled, such that it shines in the direction of the dispensing openings. The device operates on rechargeable batteries and utilizes a charging station which runs on solar power.

The present invention relates to a novel, lighted seasoning dispensing device. The device is used in dimly lit environments, such as restaurants, bars, and outdoors at night. Specifically, the lighted seasoning dispensing device may be used for dispensing salt and/or spices to prevent over seasoning. The device comprises a handheld shaker with a plurality of holes at one end for dispensing salt and/or spices. The device also comprises a built-in LED lighting mechanism that is angled, such that it shines in the direction of the dispensing openings. The device operates on rechargeable batteries and utilizes a charging station which runs on solar power.

A truffle configured cosmetic article which includes a protective outer shell, an inner volume of cosmetic and a capsule positioned in the cosmetic containing active ingredients. An appliance is adapted to receive the article, heat and blend the article to produce a warm skin formulation which can be applied by the user. The article is produced with the use of a mold. A combination of wax and coconut oil is melted and applied to most of the interior surface of the mold, defining a volume into which a cosmetic is applied as well as a capsule additive. The article is then sealed with additional wax and coconut oil material. The article is then released and ready for use in the appliance or to be wrapped.

A truffle configured cosmetic article which includes a protective outer shell, an inner volume of cosmetic and a capsule positioned in the cosmetic containing active ingredients. An appliance is adapted to receive the article, heat and blend the article to produce a warm skin formulation which can be applied by the user. The article is produced with the use of a mold. A combination of wax and coconut oil is melted and applied to most of the interior surface of the mold, defining a volume into which a cosmetic is applied as well as a capsule additive. The article is then sealed with additional wax and coconut oil material. The article is then released and ready for use in the appliance or to be wrapped.

A mixing bottle has a container having an open top area. A cover is removably coupled to the container and covering the open top area. A first opening is formed in a top surface of the cover to dispense the contents stored within the container. A second opening is formed in a center area of the top surface of the cover. A mixing device is positioned within the container and extends out of the second opening in the cover.

A liquid-liquid mixing device (10, 210) includes a barrel (20, 220) with a liquid port (23) at or adjacent one end. A plunger assembly (30) is reciprocably moveable along an axis in the barrel (20, 220) and includes a seal member (31, 231) and an agitator (50, 250). The seal member (31, 231) is in sealingly slidable engagement with the internal wall of the barrel (20, 220) to define a variable volume chamber (24, 224) therein in communication with the liquid port. The agitator (50, 250) is reciprocably moveable in the variable volume chamber (24, 224), which agitator (50, 250) includes one or more end to end passages (54) through which liquid in the chamber (24, 224) is forced as the agitator (250) reciprocates in the chamber (24, 224). The device (10) also includes a mode selector mechanism (60, 28, 46, 64, 65, 90, 92, 94, 96) for selection between at least two modes of operation for the plunger assembly, wherein the mode selector mechanism (60, 28, 46, 64, 65, 90, 92, 94, 96) is adjustable between two or more modes whereby movement of the plunger assembly (30) effects either movement of the agitator (50, 250) with the seal member (31, 231) or movement of the agitator (50, 250) relative to the seal member (31, 231), depending on the selected mode.

A liquid-liquid mixing device (10, 210) includes a barrel (20, 220) with a liquid port (23) at or adjacent one end. A plunger assembly (30) is reciprocably moveable along an axis in the barrel (20, 220) and includes a seal member (31, 231) and an agitator (50, 250). The seal member (31, 231) is in sealingly slidable engagement with the internal wall of the barrel (20, 220) to define a variable volume chamber (24, 224) therein in communication with the liquid port. The agitator (50, 250) is reciprocably moveable in the variable volume chamber (24, 224), which agitator (50, 250) includes one or more end to end passages (54) through which liquid in the chamber (24, 224) is forced as the agitator (250) reciprocates in the chamber (24, 224). The device (10) also includes a mode selector mechanism (60, 28, 46, 64, 65, 90, 92, 94, 96) for selection between at least two modes of operation for the plunger assembly, wherein the mode selector mechanism (60, 28, 46, 64, 65, 90, 92, 94, 96) is adjustable between two or more modes whereby movement of the plunger assembly (30) effects either movement of the agitator (50, 250) with the seal member (31, 231) or movement of the agitator (50, 250) relative to the seal member (31, 231), depending on the selected mode.

An apparatus, vortex generator assembly and method for automated cell lysis and nucleic acid purification and processing. The vortex generator assembly includes sample holder having a lysis well, at least one wash well, and an elution well. The vortex generator assembly also includes a sample holder cover having a plurality of vibration rods for creating a vortex in the wells of the sample holder. The apparatus includes motor operating a rotating cam to cause the vibration rods to vibrate and create the vortex in a well holding fluid and magnetic beads, wherein the vortexing speed is sufficient to overcome the magnetic attraction between the beads and disperse the beads in solution, to collect nucleic acids such as DNA.

An apparatus, vortex generator assembly and method for automated cell lysis and nucleic acid purification and processing. The vortex generator assembly includes sample holder having a lysis well, at least one wash well, and an elution well. The vortex generator assembly also includes a sample holder cover having a plurality of vibration rods for creating a vortex in the wells of the sample holder. The apparatus includes motor operating a rotating cam to cause the vibration rods to vibrate and create the vortex in a well holding fluid and magnetic beads, wherein the vortexing speed is sufficient to overcome the magnetic attraction between the beads and disperse the beads in solution, to collect nucleic acids such as DNA.

Cosmetic blending devices for producing a cosmetic liquid from a solid-shell cosmetic ingredient capsule. The cosmetic blending devices include a lid, a base, a blending element configured to blend the capsule, and a drive mechanism configured to actuate the blending element. The cosmetic blending device may include a thermal element configured to change a temperature of the capsule. The thermal element may melt the capsule. The solid-shell cosmetic ingredient capsule comprises a shell defining an enclosed inner volume, and cosmetic material included in the enclosed inner volume. Methods of using the cosmetic blending devices comprise placing the solid-shell cosmetic ingredient capsule into the cosmetic blending device and blending the capsule to produce the cosmetic liquid. Methods of forming the solid-shell cosmetic ingredient capsule comprise forming a portion of the shell, adding the cosmetic material to the portion of the shell, and forming the remaining portion of the shell.