Abstract: A refill cap is provided and comprises a body and a breaching member. The body includes connection means for connection to a refill container and the body can simultaneously be joined to a recipient container. The body further comprises an interior partition which prevents product flow through the body. The breaching member is movable to breach the partition whereby product can flow from a refill container into a recipient container via the cap.

Abstract: The invention comprises a vibration probe protection apparatus and method of use thereof. The sensor protection system dynamically moves the probe away from the shaft in response to radial movement of the shaft and subsequently repositions the sensor probe at a set distance from the rotating shaft. The sensor protection system optionally: (1) positions a protective element closer to the shaft than a tip of the probe, where radial movement of the shaft strikes the protective element and the protective element uses a portion of the resulting striking force to move the probe away from the shaft; (2) resists bounce of the probe upon delivery of force from movement of the shaft to the protective element; and/or (3) provides a return spring force to the probe tip toward the shaft to reposition the probe against a hard stop.

Abstract: An electrochemical detection system having a disposable cartridge capable of performing a plurality of assay protocols is disclosed. The cartridge includes a blister pack for the long-term storage and controlled release of multiple reagents. The blister pack is bonded to and operatively associated with a fluidic backbone for providing the fluid pathways, storage capacity, and fluid control functions for performing multiple assay protocols. The cartridge further includes a plurality of sensors having a multiple electrode arrangement in operative association with a respective flow cell defined by the fluidic backbone. After the user has transferred a sample into the cartridge and engaged the cartridge to the reader, the reader operatively interfaces with the cartridge such that different assay protocols may be simultaneously performed in isolation from one another inside the cartridge. The reader may be one of many readers that operatively communicate data to a remote server for processing.

Abstract: An electrochemical detection system having a disposable cartridge capable of performing a plurality of assay protocols is disclosed. The cartridge includes a blister pack for the long-term storage and controlled release of multiple reagents. The blister pack is bonded to and operatively associated with a fluidic backbone for providing the fluid pathways, storage capacity, and fluid control functions for performing multiple assay protocols. The cartridge further includes a plurality of sensors having a multiple electrode arrangement in operative association with a respective flow cell defined by the fluidic backbone. After the user has transferred a sample into the cartridge and engaged the cartridge to the reader, the reader operatively interfaces with the cartridge such that different assay protocols may be simultaneously performed in isolation from one another inside the cartridge. The reader may be one of many readers that operatively communicate data to a remote server for processing.

Abstract: A sensor for detecting a presence of bacteria in a perishable food includes a pH sensitive solution of bromothymol blue and methyl red mixed with an alkaline resulting in a pH value and a generally green color changing to a generally orange color responsive to exposure to a concentration of carbon dioxide. The solution is packaged in a gas permeable container using a TPX (PMP) thin film that allows an effective diffusion of carbon dioxide through the container. The pH level drops when acidic carbon dioxide comes into contact with the solution resulting from a formation of carbonic acid, making the solution an indicator of carbon dioxide concentration, and thus an indication of bacterial growth.

Abstract: A sensor for detecting bacteria in a perishable food product includes a gas-permeable material including a pH indicator carried by a housing for placement in a spaced relation to food product or packaging surfaces for effectively detecting a change in carbon dioxide levels within the package. One acid-base pH indicator comprises a mixture of Bromothymol Blue and Methyl Orange with the sensor having an initial green color indicating an alkaline pH of approximately 7.2. The indicator turns orange with a decrease in pH resulting from a presence of carbon dioxide due to bacterial growth, such an indicator reflecting a universally recognizable safe to caution color change.

Abstract: A device for detecting bacteria in a perishable food product includes a gas-permeable sensor housing positionable within an interior of food packaging. A pH indicator is positioned within the housing for detecting a change in a gaseous bacterial metabolite concentration that is indicative of bacterial growth, wherein a pH change is effected by a presence of the metabolite. The housing and the pH indicator are preferably safe for human consumption. A method for detecting bacteria in a perishable food product includes supporting a food product by a food packaging element and positioning a gas-permeable sensor housing within an interior of the food packaging element, the sensor including a pH indicator. The food product and the housing are sealed within the food packaging, and the pH indicator is monitored for a bacterial concentration in the food product in excess of a predetermined level.