A reciprocating mixer for mixing liquids comprises a mixing shaft supporting a mixing head. A reciprocating drive assembly is connectable to the shaft and comprises a reciprocating fluidically powered actuator having a vertically reciprocating drive shaft coupled to the mixing shaft, a first fluidic input and a second fluidic input. A fluidic control valve is connected to the first and second fluidic inputs of the actuator. A fluidic pump has a fluidic output connected to the fluidic input of the control valve. A control unit has a communication interface connected to the communication port of the fluidic control valve and the control input the fluidic pump. In use, the fluidic pump and the fluidic control valve are operated by the control unit to provide for a downward motion cycle portion and an upward motion cycle portion that impart the vertically reciprocating movement to the mixing head.

A reciprocating mixer for mixing liquids comprises a mixing shaft supporting a mixing head. A reciprocating drive assembly is connectable to the shaft and comprises a reciprocating fluidically powered actuator having a vertically reciprocating drive shaft coupled to the mixing shaft, a first fluidic input and a second fluidic input. A fluidic control valve is connected to the first and second fluidic inputs of the actuator. A fluidic pump has a fluidic output connected to the fluidic input of the control valve. A control unit has a communication interface connected to the communication port of the fluidic control valve and the control input the fluidic pump. In use, the fluidic pump and the fluidic control valve are operated by the control unit to provide for a downward motion cycle portion and an upward motion cycle portion that impart the vertically reciprocating movement to the mixing head.

A capped retail dispenser package encloses and retains a mixing container into which a product mixture is filled using an automated manufacturing system in an individualized manner, such that each individual product container may be charged with a customized or unique formulation different than a previous or subsequent container passing through the system. Mixing is not done prior to filling, but with a mixer received in a slidable bottom portion that functions as a piston. The rod terminates at its upper end with a mixing plate. Movement of the rod through the central opening provides mixing of the product through a reciprocating motion, and preferably with a simultaneous rotation. Movement of the upper mixing plate within the mixing container provides mixing of the container's contents by forcing fluid flow through one or more mixing apertures formed about a flange of the mixing plate.

A capped retail dispenser package encloses and retains a mixing container into which a product mixture is filled using an automated manufacturing system in an individualized manner, such that each individual product container may be charged with a customized or unique formulation different than a previous or subsequent container passing through the system. Mixing is not done prior to filling, but with a mixer received in a slidable bottom portion that functions as a piston. The rod terminates at its upper end with a mixing plate. Movement of the rod through the central opening provides mixing of the product through a reciprocating motion, and preferably with a simultaneous rotation. Movement of the upper mixing plate within the mixing container provides mixing of the container's contents by forcing fluid flow through one or more mixing apertures formed about a flange of the mixing plate.

Provided is a stirring body that can be easily manufactured with low shear and that can generate a plurality of flows including a circulating flow and a turbulent flow to stir a fluid medium in a complex and unsteady manner, and adjust the flow of a stirring flow according to the purpose. A stirring body includes a flat plate in which a plurality of spiral blade portions extending from a central portion is formed by a spiral cut that does not contact an outer peripheral portion; and an operating member that supports the flat plate, wherein either one of the operating member or the outer peripheral portion of the flat plate is movable in a direction of separating and approaching in relation to each other, and the blade portion rises while being separated from an adjacent blade portion in conjunction with the movement in the direction of separating in relation to each other so that the flat plate is extended to form a three-dimensional shape.

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.

The invention provides a bone cement mixing assembly including a mixer, a syringe barrel and a movable plug cover. The mixer includes a stirring rod and a stirring barrel. The stirring rod has holding end, a rod body and a stirring end. The stirring barrel has a barrel cover, a first barrel open, a first barrel body, a first barrel bottom, and a stirring space located in the first barrel body. The syringe barrel has a second barrel open, a second barrel body, a second barrel bottom, and an injection space located in the second barrel body. In this way, the complete-stirred bone cement in the stirring barrel can be directly collected and pushed into the syringe barrel through the movement of the movable plug cover to achieve the effect of completing the preparation of the bone cement quickly and efficiently.

A microfluidic mixer, formed by two parts, a first part being a substrate having formations defining fluid channels on an outer surface that is directed towards a second part, which is a flexible layer. The flexile layer has formations defining a fluid channel which, when the flexible layer is positioned over the substrate so as to cover the fluid channels of the substrate provides a fluid communication path. A section of said communication path comprises at least first and second fluid channels for providing first and second fluids. The first and second fluid channels merge before an inlet of a mixing chamber. The mixing chamber comprises perturbation formations. An outlet of the mixing chamber is connected to an outlet fluid channel. The flexible layer comprises points for compression at the inlet and outlet of the mixing chamber for closing the merged fluid channel. The perturbation formations of the mixing chamber are vertically arranged vertically with respect to an inner surface.

A microfluidic mixer, formed by two parts, a first part being a substrate having formations defining fluid channels on an outer surface that is directed towards a second part, which is a flexible layer. The flexile layer has formations defining a fluid channel which, when the flexible layer is positioned over the substrate so as to cover the fluid channels of the substrate provides a fluid communication path. A section of said communication path comprises at least first and second fluid channels for providing first and second fluids. The first and second fluid channels merge before an inlet of a mixing chamber. The mixing chamber comprises perturbation formations. An outlet of the mixing chamber is connected to an outlet fluid channel. The flexible layer comprises points for compression at the inlet and outlet of the mixing chamber for closing the merged fluid channel. The perturbation formations of the mixing chamber are vertically arranged vertically with respect to an inner surface.

The presently disclosed subject matter provides devices and methods for sample extraction from a swab during biological sample processing. In particular embodiments, the devices and methods are configured for use in conjunction with microfluidic devices for sample processing.