Abstract: The invention relates to systems comprising at least a cell culturing device and a cell sorting device, and optionally a direct connection from the cell culturing device to the cell sorting device, and a direct connection from the cell sorting device to the cell culturing device. The invention further relates to methods for developing and/or optimizing a cell culture process, comprising at least the steps of growing a cell culture of a polyclonal population of cells in a cell culturing device and selecting cells in the cell sorting device, and optionally transferring cells from the cell culturing device into a cell sorting device by direct connection(s) from the cell culturing device to the cell sorting device, and recirculating selected cells from the cell sorting device back to the cell culturing device by direct connection(s) from the cell sorting device to the cell culturing device.

Abstract: A sample preparation system includes a serial arrangement of a first means configured to being connected to a first consumable and a second means configured to being connected to a second consumable, and a first valve arranged between the first means and the second means, and a second valve arranged downstream of the second means. A first line provides fluidic communication between the first means and the first valve, a second line provides fluidic communication between the first valve and the second valve via the second means, and a third line provides fluidic communication directly between the first valve and the second valve configured to bypass the second means.

Abstract: A trailer hitch alignment device which allows a user to easily align a hitch of a vehicle with a trailer hitch of a trailer. The trailer hitch alignment device includes a control unit with a display that is viewable by the driver of a vehicle, a sensor releasably positioned on a ball hitch of the vehicle, and another sensor releasably positioned over a socket hitch of the trailer. At least one of the sensor and the another sensor communicates with the control unit. The control unit display displays the relative position of the sensor to the another sensor.

Abstract: A temperature indicating device utilizing a housing having an exterior and an interior which includes first and second chambers. First and second chambers communicate with one another. An opening through the housing allows communication between the interior and exterior of the housing. A bimetallic element which is capable of assuming first and second configurations is positioned within the second chamber. A movable member is found in the first chamber and contacts the bimetallic elements when the bimetallic elements assumes the first configuration. A spring bias the contact between the movable member and the bimetallic element and urges movement therebetween when the bimetallic element assumes the second configuration. A signal indicates such movement by utilization of the opening between the exterior and interior of the housing.

Abstract: A mechanism for obtaining a strip record of an environmental measurement. The mechanism is used in conjunction with a clock drive which advances a recording strip and with a stylus which marks an indication of the environmental status on the recording strip. The mechanism includes a housing having an exterior and interior portion which encloses the marking stylus. The recording strip is supported by a holder to permit marking by the stylus. An element is connected to the recording strip and fixed relative to the housing for permitting marking of the recording strip by the stylus. The element is removed from the housing by movement away from the marking stylus.