Abstract: A coffee tamping tool, comprising: a main body including, an internal compartment; and, a portafilter receptacle area configured for receipt of a portafilter therein; a control circuit board disposed within the internal compartment; and, a tamper disc disposed within the portafilter receptacle area.

Abstract: A positive displacement pipette tip for motorized control automation or liquid handling instrument system is disclosed. The positive displacement pipette tip includes a pipette tip and a pipette plunger. An interface portion of the pipette tip of the positive displacement pipette tip is designed to be used in combination with a zero-insertion force pipette tip clamping mechanism in, for example, a liquid handling instrument. Further, the pipette plunger of the positive displacement pipette tip is designed to be used in combination with a zero-insertion force pipette plunger clamping mechanism in, for example, a liquid handling instrument.

Abstract: A liquid handling instrument and pipetting head for and method of aspirating and/or dispensing liquids is disclosed. Namely, an automated liquid handling instrument is provided for aspirating and/or dispensing liquids from source media to destination media using at least one pipetting head and by using a positive displacement pipette tip, wherein the positive displacement pipette tip includes a pipette tip and a pipette plunger. A pipetting head of the liquid handling instrument includes an arrangement of plates, threaded rods, motors, timing (or drive) belts, and custom timing pulleys/nuts. The pipetting head further includes an arrangement of pipette plunger clamping mechanisms and pipette tip clamping mechanisms that feature zero-insertion force clamping mechanisms.

Abstract: A control mechanism for maneuvering an end effector is provided. The control mechanism comprises multiple actuator assemblies, multiple arm assemblies, and the end effector. Each of the multiple arm assemblies connect the end effector and the multiple actuator assemblies respectively. Each multiple actuator assemblies controls the movement of the multiple arm assemblies independently. One of the arm is rotated by a tool actuator where the rotating motion of the rotating arm drives a tool attached at the end effector. The control mechanism positions the tool actuator away from the end effector, thereby operating the tool at a remote location away from the end effector.

Abstract: A control mechanism for maneuvering an end effector is provided. The control mechanism comprises multiple actuator assemblies, multiple arm assemblies, and the end effector. Each of the multiple arm assemblies connect the end effector and the multiple actuator assemblies respectively. Each multiple actuator assemblies controls the movement of the multiple arm assemblies independently. One of the arm is rotated by a tool actuator where the rotating motion of the rotating arm drives a tool attached at the end effector. The control mechanism positions the tool actuator away from the end effector, thereby operating the tool at a remote location away from the end effector.