Abstract: A mixing apparatus has a container base and a container lid with the lid carrying a mixing mechanism extending through the lid. The mixing mechanism includes at one end a mixing element and at the other end a drive connection to a drive motor. When the drive is operated, the mixing element mixes the contents of the container, usually with the container inverted. The lid has a rim portion with a circumferential slot, and the top edge of the container is located in the slot when the lid is assembled with the container to improve the connection between the lid and the container during mixing. The lid within the rim portion carries the mixing mechanism and during mixing, the assembly is held to lock the assembly together.

Abstract: Dispensing apparatus is primarily intended for dispensing product from product containers by extrusion. In controlling discharge of product a flexible tube is connected to the container outlet and the tube is engageable with drive means for deforming the tube and controlling product discharged along the tube to an outlet nozzle. Usually there will be valves towards the entry and exit of the flexible tube and the drive means engages the tube between the spaced positions.

Abstract: Dispensing apparatus is primarily intended for dispensing product from product containers by extrusion. In controlling discharge of product a flexible tube is connected to the container outlet and the tube is engageable with drive means for deforming the tube and controlling product discharged along the tube to an outlet nozzle. Usually there will be valves towards the entry and exit of the flexible tube and the drive means engages the tube between the spaced positions.

Abstract: A method of preparing a pre-blended beverage ingredient for use in the preparation of chilled beverages includes the steps of placing ice cubes or other pieces of solid ice together with a volume of liquid in a blending apparatus having vessel for receiving product to be blended and an impeller or other mixing or blending means arranged for high speed blending of product within the vessel, and then blending the ice within the liquid to produce a mixture of chilled liquid and a soft paste-like substance. The ice is substantially immersed in said volume of liquid prior to blending and any excess liquid is strained from the paste after blending.

Abstract: Dispensing apparatus is primarily intended for dispensing product from product containers by extrusion. In controlling discharge of product a flexible tube is connected to the container outlet and the tube is engageable with drive means for deforming the tube and controlling product discharged along the tube to an outlet nozzle. Usually there will be valves towards the entry and exit of the flexible tube and the drive means engages the tube between the spaced positions.

Abstract: Dispensing apparatus is primarily intended for dispensing product from product containers (12) by extrusion. In controlling discharge of product a flexible tube (25) is connected to the container outlet and the tube is engageable with drive means (29, 31) for deforming the tube and controlling product discharged along the tube to an outlet nozzle (26). Usually there will be valves towards the entry (27) and exit (28) of the flexible tube and the drive means engages the tube between the spaced positions.

Abstract: A support stand includes a base and a mounting post that is collapsible into the base. The support stand can be extremely compact and nearly flat with a very small height. The support stand also is very easy to use and can be quickly set up and utilized with a camera or other device to be mounted thereon.

Abstract: This invention is concerned with providing apparatus for blending product within a container (10) by charging the container with product, applying a lid (l2) with an integral blending element (14) thereon. The product is blended by driving the blending element with an external drive (34) whilst the container is in an inverted position. The assembled and filled container is located in a holder (22) whilst in a generally upright position and the holder is moved to invert the container so that the lid is lowermost and the product is in contact with the blending element in which position the product is blended. Inversion may take place in a housing (23) in which the product may be heated to a blending temperature.

Abstract: A support stand includes a base and a mounting post that is collapsible into the base. The support stand can be extremely compact and nearly flat with a very small height. The support stand also is very easy to use and can be quickly set up and utilized with a camera or other device to be mounted thereon.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to a new class of chemoselective polymer materials. In particular, the invention relates to linear polycarbosilane compounds for use in various analytical applications involving sorbent polymer materials, including chromatography, chemical trapping, analyte collection, and chemical sensor applications.

Abstract: The invention has application to dispensing dessert products from pre-filled containers. The container (11) has an outlet (12A) and a moveable portion (13) which is engageable to reduce the container internal volume and cause product to be extruded from an outlet. The container is located on a support (15) during dispensing and there are elements (48–51, 53) for detecting whether the product is extrudable and/or whether dispensing is complete. In addition, there is a detector (35–37) for detecting a container in a discharge position on the support.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to a new class of chemoselective polymer materials. In particular, the invention relates to linear polycarbosilane compounds for use in various analytical applications involving sorbent polymer materials, including chromatoghraphy, chemical trapping, analyte collection, and chemical sensor applications.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to a new class of chemoselective polymer materials. In particular, the invention relates to linear polycarbosilane compounds for use in various analytical applications involving sorbent polymer materials, including chromatoghraphy, chemical trapping, analyte collection, and chemical sensor applications.

Abstract: An apparatus for collecting particles or vapor from air or surfaces comprising: a housing comprising an inlet open to the air to be sampled and an outlet; and a fan having one or more open areas within the housing capable of being driven at a speed effective to cause collection on the surface of the fan of particles or vapor in the air. A method of collecting a particulate sample from air comprising the step of driving a fan having one or more open areas within a housing comprising an inlet open to the air to be sampled and an outlet, at a speed effective to cause collection on the surface of the fan of particles in the air.

Abstract: The invention provides a device for selective molecular recognition, the device comprising a sensing portion, wherein said sensing portion includes a substrate having coated thereon a layer comprising a hyperbranched compound having: (1) a polymer backbone portion that is at least partly randomly branched; (2) at least one pendant group extending from the polymer backbone portion; and (3) at least one halogen substituted alcohol or phenol group substituted at the pendant group(s) of the polymer backbone portion. The compound of the invention preferably has the general formula: wherein A is the hyperbranched backbone portion of the polymer; L and M are independently selected pendant groups of said polymer backbone; X and Y are independently selected halogen substituted alcohol or phenol groups; q and r are independently selected and at least 1; and n is at least 3. The device is used to detect the molecules of a hydrogen bond accepting vapor such as organophosphorus or nitroaromatic species.

Abstract: A microelectro-mechanical chemical sensor includes an active cantilever beam having a chemically selective material layer disposed thereon and at least one, preferably two, resistors with the resistance corresponding to the cantilever beam deflection. The sensor also has at least two, and preferably four, auxiliary cantilever beams adjacent to the active cantilever and attached to the same substrate, each having a piezoresistor disposed thereon. The piezoresistors are elements of a Wheatstone bridge, and the Wheatstone bridge output indicates the amount of a predetermined target chemical sorbed by the chemically selective material layer. The sensor is electrostatically actuated in order to monitor the resonant frequency.

Abstract: In the invention, a collection device includes a first micro scale plate having a sorbent surface and a through hole. The through hole provides for the passage of an analyte fluid flow through the plate, and it has a volume and geometry to provide contact between the fluid and the sorbent surface in an amount effective to absorb a sufficient amount of analyte for subsequent detection of the analyte. The sorbent surface can be provided by a sorbent coating such as an active sensing film, e.g. a conducting or optically active material, examples of which include conducting polymers, polymer/carbon composites, carbon nanotubes, and dye-containing materials. The analyte collection device preferably includes a heating source, e.g. a heating element formed from a resistive trace, or a plurality of resistive traces, on or within the first microscale plate, for effecting a thermal release of collected analyte from the plate.

Abstract: In the invention, a collection device includes a flow through micro scale plate arranged to collect analyte. The plate includes holes, and sorbent coating on contact surfaces of the plate. The holes pass analyte fluid flow, for example analyte vapor so that fluid flow for collection may be generally perpendicular to the sorbent plate. Preferred embodiment plates include an integrated heater trace. In preferred embodiments, a high substantially perpendicular flow is used for collection and concentration, and during desorption and delivery a low substantially parallel flow is used. The low flow is selected to meet constraints of a detector system.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for detecting presence of an analyte in ambient air. The apparatus comprising a valve for admitting ambient air, a line for conveying the air to a sensing element, a housing for isolating the environment around the sensing element, an inlet port for flowing the air tho the sensing element in a turbulent flow in a direction substantially perpendicularly to the sensing element, an outlet port for conveying the air from the sensing element, and a pump in communication with the outlet port for providing suction for drawing the air to the sensing element. The method includes the steps of drawing in ambient air that may contain an analyte, projecting the air at a sensing element in a turbulent flow by flowing the air at the sensing element, the sensing element having on its surface a chemoselective material that selectively interacts with the analyte, and detecting the interaction of the analyte with the sensing element.