Patent ID: 8158102

Claim:
An apparatus for mixing a substance in a sealed container with a liquid, the container being positioned in a container receptacle, the container receptacle configured to couple with a port assembly to permit liquid to enter the container through the port assembly, the apparatus comprising: a container spiking assembly comprising a movable member adapted to move the container receptacle toward the port assembly; a container spiking assembly controller in communication with the container spiking assembly for controlling coupling of the container receptacle with the port assembly; and a liquid controller for controlling the flow of the liquid through the port assembly into the container to produce a combined substance and liquid, wherein: the container spiking assembly controller is configured to control the movement of the movable member of the container spiking assembly to couple the container receptacle with the port assembly while the port assembly is immobilized relative to the container receptacle, and wherein upon coupling, the container receptacle and port assembly are configured to lock together through engagement of one or more engagement teeth between the container receptacle and the port assembly.