Tissue dissociators configured to disrupt a biological tissue sample are provided. Aspects of the tissue dissociators according to certain embodiments include a blade holder having a blade and a sample holder that includes a tissue actuator having a distal end pliable stopper where the tissue actuator is configured to be displaced along a longitudinal axis with the sample holder. Also provided are methods of dissociating a biological tissue sample with the tissue dissociators, as well as kits including the tissue dissociators.

Systems and methods for downsizing tires, and an automated downsizing apparatus utilize a cradle, mandrel table, cutting apparatus, and a control unit. In various embodiments, a tire mounted on the cradle may be received by the movable and rotatable mandrel table, and positioned for engagement with the cutting apparatus. Users may customize one or more cutting configurations to be executed by the control unit. The control unit positions the mandrel table and cutting apparatus to remove portions from the tire, according to the cutting configurations. During tire downsizing operations, one or more system parameters may be monitored to determine compliance with the selected configuration, and the automated execution may be manually overridden.

Systems and methods for downsizing tires, and an automated downsizing apparatus utilize a cradle, mandrel table, cutting apparatus, and a control unit. In various embodiments, a tire mounted on the cradle may be received by the movable and rotatable mandrel table, and positioned for engagement with the cutting apparatus. Users may customize one or more cutting configurations to be executed by the control unit. The control unit positions the mandrel table and cutting apparatus to remove portions from the tire, according to the cutting configurations. During tire downsizing operations, one or more system parameters may be monitored to determine compliance with the selected configuration, and the automated execution may be manually overridden.

Systems and methods for growing vegetation are provided. The disclosed systems (100) and methods (1100, 1200) use rotating growth mats (102) and a cutting device (112). The rotating growth mats and cutting device can be coupled to an anaerobic digester (402) to generated methane gas using vegetation grown on the growth mats. The systems and methods may further use C artificial light sources (108) and a nutrients delivery system (110) to assist growth.

This invention relates to a tire processing apparatus for processing large used tires as are found from industrial mining applications. The present invention relates particularly to a tire processing apparatus comprising a head that is operable to move about two or more axes at a first end of a swing arm, the head further having a rasp operable to strip rubber particles from a stationary tire for use of the particles as a landscaping mulch. In various embodiments, the apparatus also comprises a head with a circular saw operable to cut a portion of the tire into a livestock trough. The invention also includes a method using the above. The system and method in its various embodiments are particularly adept at processing used tires from mining industry applications.

This invention relates to a tire processing apparatus for processing large used tires as are found from industrial mining applications. The present invention relates particularly to a tire processing apparatus comprising a head that is operable to move about two or more axes at a first end of a swing arm, the head further having a rasp operable to strip rubber particles from a stationary tire for use of the particles as a landscaping mulch. In various embodiments, the apparatus also comprises a head with a circular saw operable to cut a portion of the tire into a livestock trough. The invention also includes a method using the above. The system and method in its various embodiments are particularly adept at processing used tires from mining industry applications.

The system for separating battery cell cores includes a cell core holder for receiving and holding a battery cell core. A cutter cuts an outer wrapping layer of the battery cell core to form an open loose end. A first roller rotates the battery cell core and a sheet opener engages the open loose end to unroll a laminate, which includes a cathode layer, an anode layer, and a polymer separator layer sandwiched therebetween. A pair of second rollers receive, grip and selectively drive movement of the laminate. A cathode breaker applies breaking force to the cathode layer to produce broken cathode layer pieces, which are then collected. An anode breaker then grasps and vibrates the laminate to produce broken anode layer pieces, which are also collected. Finally, a polymer separator layer cutter selectively cuts the polymer separator layer to produce cut polymer separator layer pieces, which are collected.

The system for separating battery cell cores includes a cell core holder for receiving and holding a battery cell core. A cutter cuts an outer wrapping layer of the battery cell core to form an open loose end. A first roller rotates the battery cell core and a sheet opener engages the open loose end to unroll a laminate, which includes a cathode layer, an anode layer, and a polymer separator layer sandwiched therebetween. A pair of second rollers receive, grip and selectively drive movement of the laminate. A cathode breaker applies breaking force to the cathode layer to produce broken cathode layer pieces, which are then collected. An anode breaker then grasps and vibrates the laminate to produce broken anode layer pieces, which are also collected. Finally, a polymer separator layer cutter selectively cuts the polymer separator layer to produce cut polymer separator layer pieces, which are collected.

A machine or system and related method for breaking and reducing the bulk size of one or more objects and comprising: a frame, a reception chamber and a size reduction mechanism. The size reduction mechanism includes a drum rotatably coupled to the frame and configured to oscillate relative to the frame between a first position and a second position about a longitudinal rotational axis; a cutting member coupled to the drum and extending therefrom, the cutting member being configured to penetrate through one or more of the objects in the reception chamber during operation as the drum rotates from the first position to the second position during each oscillation cycle; and a breaking screen comprising a series of spaced breaking members configured to cause further breakdown of the one or more pieces of the one or more objects during operation as the drum rotates toward the second position during each oscillation cycle and forces the one or more pieces against the breaking members. An optional chute may be coupled to the outlet of the machine or system for further compacting and disposing of the bulk material output by the machine.

A machine or system and related method for breaking and reducing the bulk size of one or more objects and comprising: a frame, a reception chamber and a size reduction mechanism. The size reduction mechanism includes a drum rotatably coupled to the frame and configured to oscillate relative to the frame between a first position and a second position about a longitudinal rotational axis; a cutting member coupled to the drum and extending therefrom, the cutting member being configured to penetrate through one or more of the objects in the reception chamber during operation as the drum rotates from the first position to the second position during each oscillation cycle; and a breaking screen comprising a series of spaced breaking members configured to cause further breakdown of the one or more pieces of the one or more objects during operation as the drum rotates toward the second position during each oscillation cycle and forces the one or more pieces against the breaking members. An optional chute may be coupled to the outlet of the machine or system for further compacting and disposing of the bulk material output by the machine.