Abstract:
An improved system and method for dispensing dehydrated culture media (DCM) powder into containers for preparation as a culture media. The manual and automated systems and methods operate to dispense DCM powder, as well as liquid, into vessels or media preparation instruments in a manner to avoid DCM dust inhalation by persons in the surrounding area and contamination of equipment and surfaces in the surrounding area. The system can further comprise a carousel arrangement that permits dispensing of DCM powder from multiple containers at multiple volumes and rates. In addition, the containers have a particular configuration for use with the system and method, such as the carousel arrangement, to avoid errors, promote repeatability and eliminate dusting. The containers can also include a device, such as an auger, to facilitated measured dispensing of the DCM powder automatically or manually into a flask, automated media sterilizers or other instruments.

Description:
[0001]     This application claims benefit from provisional Application No. 60/732,774 filed on Nov. 1, 2005, the entire content being incorporated herein by reference.  
       CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0002]     Related subject matter is disclosed in U.S. application Ser. No. 11/119,912, filed May 3, 2005, and in U.S. application Ser. No. 11/119,792, filed on May 3, 2005, the entire content of each being incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0004]     The present invention provides an improved system and method for dispensing dehydrated culture media (DCM) powder into containers for preparation of culture media. More particularly, the present invention relates to improved manual and automated systems and methods for dispensing DCM powder into vessels or media preparation instruments in a sanitary manner to avoid contamination by DCM powder dust to the surrounding area.  
         [0005]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0006]     Microbiology laboratories are required to produce large quantities of agar based growth media to use in the growth of bacteria and other microorganisms. Regardless of the specific agar media formulation used, most media are prepared by mixing powdered dehydrated culture media (DCM) with water and then sterilizing the mixture in an autoclave to insure the growth media is free of contamination. The dehydrated media powder, which is ground very fine, is typically delivered to the laboratory in plastic containers of varying sizes. A laboratory technician will typically scoop or pour out and weigh the required amount of DCM powder, add the appropriate amount of water, and mix and warm the mixture using, for example, a magnetic stirring motor with stir bar. Once the DCM and water have been completely mixed, the mixture is sterilized by autoclave or media preparator.  
         [0007]     As used in most laboratories, DCM is a very light and fine powder. Some DCM formulations are highly toxic and all are irritants to some degree. When poured, DCM often forms a cloud of dust that rises above and around the technician who is dispensing the powder. This “media cloud” or “dusting” causes several problems. Often the technician will inhale DCM dust, which can be a health hazard. Additionally, as the dust settles it leaves a film of agar on surrounding laboratory surfaces. Because DCM typically is used in areas that tend to be warm and moist due to the close proximity of steam-producing autoclaves, the media dust leaves a sticky film that is difficult to clean and that increases the likelihood of surface contamination. Moreover, because the DCM is a fine powder, it tends to penetrate into very small spaces in the laboratory, including the inside surfaces of scientific instruments where the resulting film can cause damage and excess wear over time.  
         [0008]     Another problem is that the process of dispensing DCM is time consuming since a precise quantity should first be weighed prior to adding water. A further problem is that mixing large batches of DCM with water, e.g., batches of certain types of media larger than 10 liters, often requires DCM and water to be added alternately in limited quantities each time to avoid clumping of the media. This increases the time needed to create the media, contributes to inaccuracies and errors and increases the likelihood of DCM dusting. A further problem is that technicians sometimes are imprecise in their measurements of DCM or water. It is also important for technicians to be able to readily identify different containers including different types of media cultures without close inspection, to thus increase the efficiency of the dispensing process.  
         [0009]     Accordingly, a need exists for an improved system and method for dispensing DCM in a sanitary manner to avoid contamination to surrounding areas and minimize exposure to technicians and other personnel.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0010]     An embodiment of the present invention provides an automated or manual system for delivering DCM powder to a preparation instrument or a container in a sanitary manner to prevent media dusting by eliminating or substantially reducing the formation of the DCM media cloud during the preparation process. An embodiment of the present invention further provides a method for a convenient, rapid, exact and reproducible dispensing of DCM into either flasks or automated media sterilizers or other instruments.  
         [0011]     The embodiments of the present invention further are capable of dispensing an appropriate amount of water or liquid into a media sterilizer or other instrument or container while simultaneously dispensing DCM powder in the proper amount and in a manner so as to avoid clumping. The metering device can be programmable to dispense the appropriate admixture of water and DCM depending on the concentration desired. The embodiments of the present invention are also able to prevent or minimize laboratory errors by applying color coding or other identification indicia to the DCM containers to indicate specific media formulations, thereby reducing the likelihood that the incorrect DCM formulation will be used by a technician.  
         [0012]     The embodiments of the present invention further provide a system comprising a carousel arrangement that permits dispensing of DCM powder from multiple containers at multiple volumes and rates. The embodiments of the present invention also provide a DCM container that is equipped with a device, such as an auger, that can facilitate measured dispensing of DCM powder automatically or manually into a flask, automated media sterilizers or other instruments.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]     These and other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will be more readily appreciated from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is a conceptual block diagram illustrating an example of an automated system for dispensing DCM powder into a media preparation instrument according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0015]      FIG. 2  is an example of a container which stores the DCM powder according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0016]      FIG. 3  is a top view of the container as shown in  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0017]      FIG. 4  illustrates an example of an adapter according to an embodiment of the present invention, that can be used with the container shown in  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0018]      FIG. 5  is a detailed top view of the portion of the motorized valve assembly of the system shown in  FIG. 1  that receives the mouth of the DCM container according to the embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0019]      FIG. 6  illustrates an example of the features of the rotatable valve of the valve assembly shown in  FIG. 1  for dispensing the DCM powder in a measured fashion according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0020]      FIG. 7  illustrates an example of another system for dispensing DCM powder into a flask in a measured manner according to another embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0021]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view illustrating an example of a carousel system for dispensing DCM powder according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0022]      FIG. 9  is a top view of the carousel system shown in  FIG. 8 ;  
         [0023]      FIG. 10  is a detailed view of an example of a relationship between a DCM powder container, dispensing cylinder, flask and related components of the carousel system shown in  FIG. 8 ;  
         [0024]      FIG. 11  is a more detailed view of an example of a relationship between a DCM powder container, dispensing cylinder, flask and related components of the carousel system shown in  FIG. 8 ;  
         [0025]      FIGS. 12A-12C  are side views illustrating examples of different shapes of the dispensing cylinder used in the carousel arrangement shown in  FIG. 8 ;  
         [0026]      FIG. 13  is a side view illustrating a modification to the carousel arrangement shown in  FIG. 8  according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0027]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a DCM container according to another embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0028]      FIG. 15  is a side view of the DCM container shown in  FIG. 14 ;  
         [0029]      FIG. 16  is a top view of the DCM container shown in  FIG. 14 ;  
         [0030]      FIG. 17  is a bottom view of the DCM container shown in  FIG. 14 ; and  
         [0031]      FIG. 18  illustrates an example of the DCM container mating with a motor according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0032]      FIG. 1  illustrates an automated system  100  for dispensing DCM powder according to an embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated, the automated system  100  includes a motorized valve assembly  102  that is connected via a conduit  104  to a media preparation instrument  106 . The media preparation instrument can be any type of instrument such as the MediaPrep line from Systec Gmbh, Wettenberg, Germany, Masterclave line from AES Laboratoire, Rennes, France, or MediaClave line from Integra Biosciences, Chur, Switzerland, each of which are commercially available.  
         [0033]     As further illustrated, the system further includes a flow meter  108 . The flow meter is electronically controlled with a digital or analog input and output for communication with a secondary device used to inject the DCM powder into the system. The flow meter can work on the basis of peristaltic action or other common commercial methodologies such as magnetic, ultrasonic, positive displacement or differential pressure. The flow meter instrument can be any type of instrument such as the AES PM05 from AES Laoratoire, Rennes, France, or the Perimatic GP or Perimatic Premier from Jencons Scientific, Inc., Bridgeville, Pa., that is connected to a water supply  110  or other liquid supply and provides water or other liquid to the media preparation instrument  106  in a regulated manner via flexible tube  112  as discussed in more detail below. The tube  112  is connected to a rigid tube  113  made of, for example, stainless steel or any other suitable material, and which extends near the bottom of the interior of the media preparation instrument  106  to minimize clumping of the DCM powder  120  and to improve mixing. The rigid tube  113  allows water to be added below the surface line of the DCM mixture to prevent or decrease the incidence of splashing or bubbling to prevent or substantially prevent, or at least minimize, the contact of water with the media entry port. A flexible tube may be utilized in place of the rigid tube  113 ; provided such flexible tube is configured so as to prevent or decrease the incidence of splashing or bubbling in the media preparation device. In practice, the tube  113  can be of any suitable material, such as rigid plastic, flexible plastic, bendable metal, a flexible hose, and so on, as long as it is positioned to prevent or substantially prevent the incidence of splashing or bubbling and its opening is at a sufficient distance from the media entry port. The motorized valve assembly  102  and flow meter  108  are connected by a communication cable  114  so that the rate at which the DCM powder is dispensed by the motorized valve  102  is coordinated with the rate at which liquid is dispensed into the media preparation instrument  106  by the flow meter  108  under the control of a controller  116 , which can be a processor or any type of computer as can be appreciated by one skilled in the art. The controller  116  can be programmable by the technician or other suitable personnel as desired and with ease to control the desired dispensing rate of the DCM powder and liquid as discussed in more detail below. As further illustrated, the motorized valve  102  receives a container  118  in which the DCM powder is stored.  
         [0034]     An example of a container for storing the DCM powder is shown in  FIG. 2 . In particular, the container  118  includes a container portion  120  and a cap  122 . The container portion  120  can be any shape, although according to an embodiment of the present invention, it is advantageous for stacking purposes for the container to be shaped in the form of a rectangle or square having flat or substantially flat sides as shown in  FIG. 2  and in the top view of  FIG. 3 . As further illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the cap  122  is preferably square shaped and has a flat or substantially flat top surface to allow the containers to be stacked vertically. The width and length of the cap  122  can correspond to the width and length of the container portion  120  as shown, or can be less than or greater than the width and length of the container portion  120 , as deemed suitable for storage and stacking purposes.  
         [0035]     In addition, for identification purposes, the container portion  120  and the cap  122  can be coded with a color or other indicator representing the contents of the container  118 . For instance, this identification can be a color coding (e.g., red, green, blue, etc.) that is present on portions or the entirety of the container portion  120  and cap  122 , a type of indicia (e.g., numbers, letters or alphanumeric symbols) on the container portion  120  and cap  122  representing the content of the container, and/or a bar code representing the content of the container  118 . Various safety warnings and other relevant information can also be present on the container portion  120 , cap  122  or both. Also, the container portion  120  and cap  122  can be made of any suitable material, such as plastic or various polymers, and can be opaque, or can be translucent so that a technician can readily determine the amount of DCM powder remaining in the container. Furthermore, the mouth of the container portion  120  is tapered or conical in shape so as to allow the DCM powder to readily flow from the container portion  120  when the container portion  120  is set in an upside down position with the cap  122  removed, and includes threads  121  as indicated. The mouth of the container portion  120  and the cap  122  can have threads  123  so that the cap  122  can be screwed onto exterior threads on the container portion  120 . The container portion  120  can also be configured to include threads  121  on its interior wall near its opening. In this event, the container portion  120  can be screwed onto the motorized valve assembly  102  of  FIG. 1  or the valve assembly  146  of  FIG. 6 , or directly onto the inlet of the media preparation instrument  106 , regardless of whether the motorized valve assembly  102 , valve assembly  146  or the inlet of the media preparation instrument  106 , has interior or exterior threads. Alternatively, the cap  122  can be snap-fit onto the container portion  120 , and the container portion  120  can simply be placed in an inverted manner so that its opening is received into the opening in the motorized valve assembly  102 , valve assembly  146  or the inlet of the media preparation instrument  106 .  
         [0036]     In addition, it should be noted that the container portion  120  can have a volume that contains a pre-measured, pre-packaged quantity of DCM powder for a single-use, so that the container  118  can be discarded after its DCM powder contents has been dispensed as discussed in more detail below. It should be further noted that the container  118  can alternatively be configured as a burstable pouch or bag, for example, that contains a pre-measured, pre-packaged amount that can be dispensed directly into the media preparation instrument  106 , into the media preparation instrument  106  via an adapter  125  as shown in  FIG. 4 , or into the motorized valve assembly  102  when pressure is applied to the container portion  120  to burst the container  120 , and then the container portion  120  can be discarded. Concerning the adapter  125 , as indicated in  FIG. 4 , the adapter  125  can be shaped at an angle, or can include a lancet  127 , such that when the container portion  120  is mated with the adapter  125 , the lancet  127  or angled portion of the adapter  125  pierces a membrane (e.g., a rupturable membrane) present at the mouth of the container portion  120 . Furthermore, the adapter can have threads  129  that mate with the threads  123  on the outside of the container portion  120  so that the container portion  120  can be screwed onto the adapter  125 . It is further noted that the threads  123  can also be present on the outside of the adapter  125  as indicated, to mate with interior threads of the container portion  120  should such an arrangement be necessary. The other end of the adapter  125  can include threads  133  that can be on the exterior surface of the adapter  125 , the interior surface of the adapter  125  (as indicated by the breakaway section), or both, to allow the adapter  125  to mate with the motorized valve assembly  102 , valve assembly  146  or the inlet of the media preparation instrument  106 , regardless of whether the threads of the valves  102  or  146 , or at the inlet of the media preparation instrument  106 , are exterior or interior.  
         [0037]     An example of the operation of the automated system  100  will now be described with reference to  FIG. 1 . As indicated, the cap  122  is removed from the container  118  and the container portion  120  is placed in an upside-down vertical or substantially vertical position on the top of the motorized valve assembly  102 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the mouth  124  of the motorized valve assembly  102  can have a lancet  126  or other suitable puncturing mechanism for puncturing any membrane (e.g., a rupturable membrane) that may be present at the mouth of the container portion  120 , so that the DCM powder can be gravity-fed into the motorized valve assembly  102 . The inner surface of the mouth  124  of the motorized valve assembly  102  can also include threads  131  that can mate with the threads  123  at the outside mouth of the container portion  120  as the container portion  120  is mated with the motorized valve assembly  102 . Alternatively, the mouth of the container portion  120  can simply mate with the mouth  124  of the motorized valve assembly  102  in any suitable manner. As noted above, the adapter  125  can be used to couple the container portion  120  to the mouth  124  of the motorized valve assembly  102 . In this regard, the adapter can have threads  133  that mate with the threads  131  on the inner surface of the mouth  124  of the motorized valve assembly  102 . In any event, the mating of the container portion  120  and the mouth  124  of the motorized valve assembly  102 , either directly or via the adapter  125 , as well as the mating of the container portion  120  with the media preparation instrument  106  directly or via the adapter  125 , form a closed or substantially closed system that eliminates or at least substantially eliminates DCM dust formation outside of the media preparation instrument  106 . The mouth  124  of the motorized valve assembly  102  can alternatively be configured to mate with a container  118  that is configured as a burstable pouch or bag as discussed above, either directly or via the adapter  125  in any of the manners described above, so that when pressure is applied to the container portion  120 , the pre-measured amount of DCM powder is dispensed into the motorized valve assembly  102  while maintaining the closed system to eliminate or at least substantially eliminate DCM dusting, and then the container portion  120  and cap  122  can be discarded.  
         [0038]     As further illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the motorized valve assembly  102  can include a motor  128 , such as a DC servo motor, a stepper motor, or any other suitable motor, that can be controlled by the controller  116  to rotate a rotatable valve  130  of the motorized valve assembly  102  that is shown in  FIG. 1  and in more detail in  FIG. 6 . As indicated, the rotatable valve  130  includes wells  132  having a volume corresponding to a desired volume or mass of DCM powder (e.g., 15 grams) that is to be dispensed into the media preparation instrument  106 . That is, the rotatable valve  130  is rotated at a desired rate as controlled by the controller  116  to periodically dispense the appropriate amount of DCM powder into the media preparation instrument  106  via the conduit  104 . In addition, as the rotatable valve  130  is being rotated under the control of the controller  116 , the flow meter  108  is controlled by the controller  116  to dispense an appropriate amount of liquid into the medium preparation assembly  106  via the tube  112 . The ratio of dehydrated media to liquid is user controllable. For example, in a 100 liter preparation, one-fifth of the total DCM to be solubilized is added with every 20 liters of water. The user is able to define any ratio of total DCM to water, e.g., ¼ DCM combined incrementally with ¼ water or ⅓ DCM combined incrementally with ⅓ water. Accordingly, the rotatable valve  130  can be rotated more rapidly to dispense the DCM powder into the media preparation instrument  106  at a faster rate, while the controller  116  can proportionately control the flow meter  108  to increase the flow of liquid into the media preparation instrument  106 . The motorized valve assembly  102  can further include a counter  135 , such as a mechanical or digital counter as known in the art, that counts the number of rotations of the rotatable valve  130 , and can be automatically or manually reset to zero after the desired amount of DCM powder has been dispensed.  
         [0039]     It should be also noted that the rotatable valve  130  can be removed and replaced with another rotatable valve having wells of a different volume which thus feed a greater amount or lesser amount of DCM powder into the media preparation instrument  106  per each rotation. Furthermore, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the motorized valve assembly  102  can include an agitator  134 , such as a vibrating coil or any other suitable component, to shake or vibrate the motorized valve assembly  102  to allow the DCM powder to more freely flow through the motorized valve assembly  102  and conduit  104  into the media preparation instrument  106 .  
         [0040]     It should also be noted that the rotatable valve  130  can include a handle  138  that can be turned manually if is desired to operate the rotatable valve  130  manually. The flow meter  108  can also be operated manually if desired. As further indicated, the media preparation instrument  106  includes a stirrer magnet  136  as known in the art which can provide further stirring and agitation of the powder and liquid mixture in the media preparation instrument  106 . It can be further noted that the controller  116  can be connected by any suitable means to the controller (not shown) of the media preparation instrument  106  to increase or decrease the rate of stirring by the stirring magnet  138  depending on the rate of deposit of DCM powder and liquid by the motorized valve assembly  102  and flow meter  108 . Accordingly, this system  100  allows for the accurate dispensing of DCM powder and liquid into the media preparation instrument  106  in a clean and sanitary manner, with little or no waste of the DCM powder, minimal contamination of the surrounding areas due to dusting, and minimal exposure to the lab technician and other personnel due to dusting.  
         [0041]     Although  FIG. 1  and its related figures illustrate an automated system  100  for dispensing DCM powder into a media preparation instrument  106 , the automated system  100 , or a manual system, can be used to dispense the powder into another vessel or flask  140 , such as an Erlenmeyer flask, as illustrated in  FIG. 7 . As indicated in  FIG. 7 , the system includes a ring stand  142  having a support  144  for supporting the container portion  120  in an upside down vertical or substantially vertical manner so that the DCM powder can flow by gravity into the valve assembly  146 . The valve assembly  146  can include threads that mate with threads  123  on the outside of the mouth of the container portion  120 , or the container portion  120  can simply be received into an opening in the valve assembly  146 . Alternatively, the container portion  120  can be mated with the valve assembly  146  via the adapter  125  in the manner discussed above with regard to the motorized valve assembly  102 , so as to form a closed or substantially closed system. Accordingly, the mating of the container portion  120  and the valve assembly  146 , either directly or via the adapter  125 , form a closed or substantially closed system that eliminates or at least substantially eliminates DCM dust formation outside of the vessel  140 . The valve assembly  146  can alternatively be configured to mate, either directly or via the adapter  125 , with a container  118  that is configured as a burstable pouch or bag as discussed above, so that when pressure is applied to the container  118 , the pre-measured amount of DCM powder is dispensed into the valve assembly  146  when pressure is applied to the container  118  while maintaining the closed or substantially closed system to eliminate or at least substantially eliminate DCM dusting, and then the container  118  can be discarded. Furthermore, as can be appreciated from the above, the vessel  140  can be configured to mate with any of the types of container portion  120  directly or via the adapter  125  without using the valve assembly  146 , and can have threads that mate with the threads  129  on the adapter  125  to facilitate the mating.  
         [0042]     Also, the mouth of the valve assembly  146  can include a lancet similar to lancet  126  (see  FIG. 5 ) to puncture any sealable membrane covering the mouth of the container portion  120 . The valve assembly  146  further can be configured similar to the automated valve assembly  102 , or can be configured solely as a manual valve assembly in which a user such as lab technician rotates the rotatable valve  130  of the valve assembly  146  by turning a knob  150  or by any other suitable mechanism. As with the motorized valve assembly  102 , the rotatable valve  130  of the valve assembly  146  can be removed and replaced with a rotatable valve having different size wells to dispense a different amount of DCM powder into the flask  142  per each rotation. The valve assembly  146  can further include a counter  147 , such as a mechanical or digital counter as known in the art, that counts the number of rotations of the rotatable valve  130 , and can be automatically or manually reset to zero after the desired amount of DCM powder has been dispensed.  
         [0043]     As further shown, the valve assembly  146  can include a non-porous rubber or plastic sleeve  148  to allow for mating with the mouth of the flask  142 . Furthermore, the valve assembly  146  or the sleeve  148  can include an inlet tube  152  to allow water or other liquid to be manually or automatically fed into the flask  142  as the rotatable valve  148  is being manually or automatically rotated. The valve assembly  146  and the system in general can be automatically or manually agitated to allow the DCM powder to more freely fall into the valve assembly  146 , and thus more freely into the flask  142 . Accordingly, the system shown in  FIG. 7  also provides an efficient and sanitary system for dispensing DCM powder into a container while avoiding waste and contamination of the surrounding area due to dusting and exposure to DCM powder inhalation due to dusting.  
         [0044]     As shown in  FIGS. 8-12 , the system for dispensing DCM powder according to another embodiment of the present invention can be configured as a laboratory benchtop system  300 . As with the embodiments discussed above, the system  300  allows for the predictable, accurate and reproducible preparation of culture media from DCM and has as a principal benefit the avoidance of DCM dust formation associated with culture media preparation otherwise encountered in laboratory practice.  
         [0045]     The system  300  comprises a carousel stand  302  and a rotatable carousel  304 . The carousel stand  302  and the rotatable carousel  304  can be made of plastic, metal, composite or any suitable material. The rotatable carousel  304  is coupled to the carousel stand  302  by a coupler  306  that couples to a pivot point  308  of the carousel stand  302  and can include any suitable rotating mechanism that enables the rotatable carousel  304  to rotate about 360 degrees with respect to the pivot point  308 . The rotatable carousel  304  can be rotated manually, or the system  300  can further include a motor  310  that can automatically rotate the rotatable carousel  304  as desired under control of, for example, a computer (not shown).  
         [0046]     Furthermore, the coupler  306  can have a chamber therein that is in communication with a main air hose  312  and a plurality of secondary air hoses  314  as shown. The main air hose  312  connects to a compressed air source (not shown), and the number of secondary air hoses  314  can, for example, correspond to the number of openings  316  in the rotatable carousel  304  that are each adapted to receive a DCM container  318  as discussed in more detail below. The coupler  306  therefore distributes the compressed air from the main air hose  312  to the secondary air hoses  314 .  
         [0047]     Specifically, as shown in  FIG. 8 , the rotatable carousel  304  is capable of holding one or more disposable containers  318  of various types of dehydrated culture media (DCM), that allows a user to select the type of DCM desired for use by rotating the desired container into position over the flask  320  into which the DCM will be deposited. The disposable containers  318  can be similar to the container portion  120  as discussed above, and can be round or, more particularly, hexagonally shaped so as to be suitable for stacking on their sides. The surfaces of the rotatable carousel  304  defining the openings  316  can each include mating grooves (not shown) that can mate with grooves on the exterior of a disposable container  318 . Alternatively, the openings  316  can be shaped similarly to the outer shape of the disposable containers  318  (e.g., hexagonal) so that the disposable containers can be snap fit into the openings  316 . The different disposable containers  318  can include different types of DCM powder or, for that matter, different types of materials altogether. The disposable containers  318  may be color coded to simplify the identification of the type of DCM power or other material to be used and to avoid mistakes by laboratory personnel.  
         [0048]     As shown in more detail in  FIG. 10 , each of the secondary air hoses  314  can mate with the top of a respective disposable container  318  so that compressed air can be fed into the disposable container  318  to force out the DCM powder. Specifically, each secondary air hose  314  can include a connector  322  that can snap fit, screw into or otherwise mate with an opening  324  in the disposable container  318 . The connector  322  alternatively can include a lance (not shown) that can pierce into the top of the disposable container  318  and thereby secure the secondary air hose  314  to the disposable container  318 . Alternatively, the connector  322  can be present at the top of the disposable container  318  and can be configured to receive an end of the secondary air hose  314  to thus couple the secondary air hose  314  to the disposable container  318 . As can be appreciated by one skilled the art, regardless of the manner in which the connector  322  is configured, the connector  322  can include a one-way valve (not shown) that permits air from the secondary air hose  314  to enter the disposable container  318  but does not permit the contents of the disposable container  318  to exit the disposable container if, for example, a negative pressure is inadvertently applied to the secondary air hose  314 . The valve can be operated automatically or manually.  
         [0049]     As further shown in  FIG. 10  and a shown in more detail in  FIG. 11 , the bottom of the disposable container  318  can include an opening  326  that can mate with a tube  328  either by screwing, snap fitting or in any other suitable manner. Specifically, the surface of the disposable container  318  defining the opening  326  can include threads  330  that mate with threads  332  on the tube  328 . Alternatively, one end of the tube  328  can include a lance (not shown) that can pierce into the disposable container  318  and thus secure the tube  328  to the disposable container  318 .  
         [0050]     The tube  328  further includes valves  334  and  336  positioned proximate to each end as illustrated. These values  334  and  336  can be membrane-type valves, or any suitable type of one-way valves that allow the contents of the disposable container  318  to enter and pass through the tube  328  in one direction (i.e., downward in  FIG.10 ). The valves  334  and  336  can be operated automatically or manually.  
         [0051]     Is should be noted that the tube  328  has dimensions to accommodate a desired volume of DCM powder. For example, the cylindrically shaped tube  328  can have dimensions to accommodate 15 grams of DCM powder. The tube  328  can be configured differently to accommodate different volumes of DCM powder as discussed in more detail below.  
         [0052]     As further shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the tube  328  can include two side valves  338  and  340  that can allow air to pass through the value out of the tube  328  when the valves  338  and  340  are coupled to hoses  342  and  344  that are further coupled to a vacuum source (not shown). These valves  338  and  340  can further be coupled to filters  346  and  348  which couple to the hoses  342  and  344  and prevent DCM powder from exiting the tube  328  while allowing air to flow from the tube  328  into the hoses  342  and  344  when the vacuum is applied as discussed in more detail below.  
         [0053]      FIGS. 10 and 11  also illustrate that a vacuum ring  350  can be coupled to one end of the tube  328  between the mouth of the flask  320  and the end of the tube  328 . The vacuum ring  350  includes an opening  352  that permits DCM powder to pass from the tube  328  through the vacuum ring  350  and into the flask  320 . The vacuum ring  350  further includes a plurality of interior openings  354  that communicate with the opening  352 , and a hollow tap  354  to which a hose  356  can be connected. The hollow tap  354  communicates with the interior openings  354 . The hose  356  can be connected to the vacuum source either in conjunction with hose  344  via a Y-connection  358 , or independently.  
         [0054]     When positive air pressure is applied to the top of the disposable container  318  via the secondary air hose  314 , and a negative pressure is applied to the bottom of the container via tube  328  when a vacuum is applied to the hoses  342 ,  344  and  356 , the DCM power is drawn from the disposable container  318 , through the tube  328 , and into the flask  320  in a measured manner. The amount of air pressure and vacuum pressure can be adjusted accordingly to adjust the rate of flow of the DCM powder into the flask  320 . The vacuum ring  350  evacuates any DCM powder dust that may rise up from the mouth of the flask  320  when the DCM powder is flowing into the flask  320 , thus eliminating or substantially eliminating the dusting problem as described in the Background section above.  
         [0055]     It should also be noted that the DCM powder can be emptied into the flask  320  in a very precise and measured manner. For example, using gravity, agitation, vibration and/or mixing, as well as the appropriate amount of positive air pressure applied to the contents of the DCM container via secondary air hose  314 , and the appropriate amount of vacuum pressure applied via hoses  342 ,  344  and  356 , the DCM can be drawn into the tube  328  while the valve  336  at the bottom of the tube  328  remains closed. Once the tube  328  is filled, the valve  336  can be automatically or manually opened to allow the appropriate amount of DCM powder to be dispensed into the flask  320 . At this time, a positive air pressure can be applied to the cylinder  328  via hoses  342  and  344  to assist in expelling the DCM powder from the cylinder  328 . It should be noted that in this arrangement, it is advantageous for the vacuum ring  350  to be independently coupled to the vacuum source via hose  356  so that a vacuum can be applied to the vacuum ring  350  to suction away any DCM dust that may develop while the air pressure is being applied via hoses  342  and  344 .  
         [0056]     It is also desirable to use cylinder  328  of different volumes to allow for a differing rate of dispensing of the DCM powder. However, as can be further appreciated by the configuration of the system  300 , it is important that the distance from the bottom of the vacuum ring  350  to the top of the mouth of the flask  320  be as small as possible without impeding the ability of the rotatable carousel  304  to rotate due to, for example, contact between the flask  320  and the vacuum ring  350 . Therefore, it is important that the heights of the different volume cylinders  328  to be the same or substantially the same. Accordingly, as shown in more detail in  FIGS. 12A-12C , the cylinder  328  can have different shapes such as cylinders  328 - 1 ,  328 - 2  and  328 - 3 , so that these different cylinders  328  through  328 - 3  can have different volumes while having the same height.  
         [0057]     It should be further noted that the cylinder  328  alternatively may be either an integral part of, or an attachment to, the disposable container  318  or the flask  320 . In addition, as shown in  FIG. 13 , instead of the cylinder  328  coupling to the disposable container  318 , the system  300  can include a second rotatable carousel  360  that rotatably couples to the pivot point  308  via a shaft  362 , for example, and includes openings  364  that receive different volume cylinders, such as cylinders  328  through  328 - 3 . In this arrangement, a shorter cylinder or adapter  366  having a valve  368  therein that can be opened manually or automatically can be coupled to the bottom opening  326  in the disposable container  318 . The different volume cylinders  328  through  328 - 3  in the rotatable carousel  360  can thus be selectively rotated below the containers  318  so that the desired different volumes of DCM powder can be dispensed into the flask  320  as desired.  
         [0058]     In addition, as shown in  FIGS. 14-17 , an embodiment of the present invention further provides a container  400  that is adaptable for use with any of the configurations or apparatus discussed above. Specifically, the container  400  stores a suitable amount of DCM power  402  in this example, but can be adapted to store any type of material, in particular, granular or powdered material.  
         [0059]     The container  400  further includes a top portion  404  and a bottom opening  406 . The top portion  404  can be an integral part of the container that is permanently sealed, or can be screwed or snap fit onto the remainder of the container  400  and thus removable from container  400 . Alternatively, the top portion  404  can have an opening therein (not shown) that can be covered by, for example, a removable cap or membrane for refilling of DCM powder. The opening  406  can also be covered by a cap or removable or rupturable membrane as discussed above, or by any other suitable device for preventing the undesired leakage of the contents of the container  400 .  
         [0060]     In addition, for identification purposes, the container  400  can be coded with a color or other indicator representing the contents of the container  400 . For instance, this identification can be a color coding (e.g., red, green, blue, etc.) that is present on portions or the entirety of the container  400 , a type of indicia (e.g., numbers, letters or alphanumeric symbols) on the container  400  representing the content of the container  400 , and/or a bar code representing the content of the container  400 . Various safety warnings and other relevant information can also be present on the container  400 . Also, the container  400  can be made of any suitable material, such as plastic or various polymers, and can be opaque, or can be translucent so that a technician can readily determine the amount of DCM powder remaining in the container. Furthermore, the mouth of the container  400  is tapered or conical in shape towards the opening  406  so as to allow the DCM powder or other material contained therein to readily flow from the container  400  when the container  400  is set in an upside down position, and includes threads  408  for mating with any of the apparatus discussed above.  
         [0061]     As further illustrated, the container  400  includes a device  410  for facilitating movement of the material in the container  400  toward the opening  406 . In this example, the device  410  is an auger or auger-like apparatus. The device  410  can be made of any suitable material, such as that of the container, or any other material such as metal, stainless steel and so on. The device  410  includes a bushing  412  that rotatably secures one end of the device  410  to the top portion  404  as shown in more detail in  FIG. 16 . The other end of the device  410  is rotatably secured to the opening  406  as shown in more detail in  FIG. 17 , so that the other end of the device  410  is exposed to the opening  406  and thus, the device  410  can facilitate movement of DCM powder or other contents of the container  400  through the opening.  
         [0062]     The device  410  is calibrated so that each rotation will result in a predetermined volume of DCM powder (or other contents) being dispensed from the opening  406 . As shown in  FIGS. 16 and 17 , the bushing  412  or end of the device  412  can include a mating portion  414  that can be, for example, a projection or slot for mating with a device, such as a shaft  422  of a motor  420 , that can be manually or automatically controlled (e.g., by a computer) to rotate the device  410  at a desired rate of rotation or by a desired number of rotations or partial number of rotations. The container  400  can be attached to the motor  420  by snap-fitting, screwing, clamping or in any other suitable fashion that allows for easy connection to and removal from the motor  420 . In another configuration, the motor  420  can be integral with the container  400  or connected to the container  400  as unit. Alternatively, a user can grab the mating portion  414  with his or her fingers, for example, or use any suitable type of manual device, such as a screwdriver, crank or handle, to manually rotate the device  410  at a desired rate or by a desired number of rotations or partial number of rotations.  
         [0063]     Accordingly, as will all of the embodiments discussed above, the container  400  allows for dustless or essentially dustless disbursement of DCM power or other material when the container  400  is coupled to any of the apparatus discussed above.  
         [0064]     While this invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, the preferred embodiments described above are merely illustrative and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.