Abstract: A cartridge may comprise a container, a filter, and a lid. The container may comprise a pierceable bottom portion structurally configured to be pierceable by a first machine piercing element. The filter may be disposed inside the container. The filter may comprise a pre-shaped concave center portion disposed above the pierceable bottom portion. The pre-shaped concave center portion may be disposed above the pierceable bottom portion. The pre-shaped concave center portion may comprise one or more attachment portions fastened to the container bottom along a periphery of the pre-shaped concave center portion. The lid may be attached to an opening of the container.

Abstract: A cartridge may comprise a container, a filter, a lid, and a substance. The container may comprise a pierceable bottom portion structurally configured to be pierceable by a first machine piercing element. The filter may be disposed inside the container. The filter may comprise a pre-shaped concave center portion, attachment portions and an opening. The pre-shaped concave center portion may be disposed above the pierceable bottom portion. The attachment portion(s) may be along a periphery of the pre-shaped concave center portion and fastened to the container bottom. The filter opening may contact a sidewall of the container. The lid may be attached to an opening of the container and may comprise a pierceable lid portion structurally configured to be pierceable by a second machine piercing element. The substance may be disposed in an interior space of the filter.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a cup, a lid, an injection zone, an evacuation zone, an upper barrier, and a lower barrier. The cup comprises a base and a sidewall rising from the base. The lid may be attached to a top of the sidewall. The injection zone is structurally configured to be pierceable by an injection needle. The injection zone is disposed in at least one of the sidewall and the lid. The evacuation zone is structurally configured to be pierceable by an evacuation needle. The evacuation zone is disposed in at least one of the sidewall and the base. The lower barrier comprises a pre-shaped portion surrounding the evacuation zone. The lower barrier comprises a periphery surrounding the pre-shaped portion. One or more attachment portions along the periphery are fastened to the cup. The upper barrier is positioned above the lower barrier and below the injection zone.

Abstract: A cartridge may comprise a container, a filter, a lid, and a substance. The container may comprise a pierceable bottom portion structurally configured to be pierceable by a first machine piercing element. The filter may be disposed inside the container. The filter may comprise a pre-shaped concave center portion, attachment portions and an opening. The pre-shaped concave center portion may be disposed above the pierceable bottom portion. The attachment portion(s) may be along a periphery of the pre-shaped concave center portion and fastened to the container bottom. The filter opening may contact a sidewall of the container. The lid may be attached to an opening of the container and may comprise a pierceable lid portion structurally configured to be pierceable by a second machine piercing element. The substance may be disposed in an interior space of the filter.

Abstract: A solution mixing cartridge comprises a container, a filter, a lid, and a substance. The container includes a bottom, a sidewall and an interior space. The bottom has a pierceable bottom portion configured to be pierced by a first piercing element. The filter is disposed inside the container. The filter includes a concave center portion disposed above the pierceable bottom portion. The filter is fastened to the container bottom along a bottom periphery. The filter sidewall extends upwardly from the filter bottom and contacts the container sidewall. A substance is disposed in the filter. The lid is attached to the container opening. The lid has a pierceable lid portion configured to be pierced by a second machine piercing element.

Abstract: A solution mixing cartridge comprises a container, a filter, a lid, and a substance. The container includes a bottom, a sidewall and an interior space. The bottom has a pierceable bottom portion configured to be pierced by a first piercing element. The filter is disposed inside the container. The filter includes a concave center portion disposed above the pierceable bottom portion. The filter is fastened to the container bottom along a bottom periphery. The filter sidewall extends upwardly from the filter bottom and contacts the container sidewall. A substance is disposed in the filter. The lid is attached to the container opening. The lid has a pierceable lid portion configured to be pierced by a second machine piercing element.

Abstract: A method which uses a combination of polymeric cationic and an anionic flocculants to clarify an aqueous solution containing cells of a microorganism and parts thereof is described. The anionic flocculant is based upon a copolymer of an alpha-beta unsaturated monomer of an anhydride, a carboxylic acid or salt and an alpha-beta Unsaturated sulfonic acid or salt monomer. The polymeric cationic surfactant is preferably a quaternary ammonium or tertiary amine containing polymer produced from an alpha-beta unsaturated amino monomer. The method is particularly useful for clarifying solutions wherein a bacterium is used to produce an expressed material such as a protein, peptide, or amino acid dissolved in the solution which is to be separated from the cells or cell parts.