A dispenser includes a first container (12) for containing a component C and a cavity (30) for receiving a separate cartridge (60). A first piston (34) is received in the container (12) and a second piston (78) is received in the cartridge (60). A blade (48) extends between the piston (34) and piston (78) for slicing the separate cartridge (60) as the pistons move so that the component C and a second component C1 in the separate cartridge (60) are expelled from the dispenser. A valve arrangement (100) can be coupled to an outlet (18) for the dispenser in order to dispense the components C and C1 and a flexible sleeve (50) may be arranged in the container (12) between a sidewall of the container (12) and the piston (34) for sealing any space between the piston (34) and the sidewall of the container (12).

A low cost stereo dispensing container (e.g. a disposable caulking cartridge) from which two part fluid products may be simultaneously dispensed in predetermined proportions relative to one another. A first material (e.g. a catalyst) is stored within a flexible blister. The blister may be adhesively affixed to a side of the container. In the alternative, the blister may be extruded or injection molded along a side of the container during manufacture. The second material (e.g. a resin) is stored within a holding chamber formed in the container alongside the blister. A plunger is moved through the container to ride over and compress the blister and thereby cause the first material to be expulsed therefrom into a spout of the container. At the same time, the volume of the holding chamber is reduced to thereby cause the second material to be simultaneously expulsed therefrom into the spout.

A device and method for dispensing flowable materials from a plurality of cartridge assemblies. Under the preferred embodiment, the device comprises a receptacle for carrying a plurality of cartridge assemblies therein. The cartridge assemblies each have a longitudinal axis and include a dispensing nozzle and an elongated tubular wall portion for containing a flowable material therein for dispensing. The wall portion is formed of a material that can be cut by a cutting surface. A drive mechanism is provided for moving an elongate drive rod in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis. A web assembly is secured to the drive rod, the web assembly including a plurality of ejectors extending therefrom. Each ejector is arranged for reciprocal movement along the longitudinal axis within one of the cartridge assemblies between a forward ejecting direction to dispense the flowable material it contains and a return direction. There is disposed on the web assembly at least one cutting surface for slicing the tubular side wall of the cartridge assembly as the ejector moves in the forward ejecting direction.

A disposable liquid reagent cartridge for use with an analytical instrument includes a permanently closed hollow housing, a plurality of separate sealed flexible bags which are preformed independently of the housing and which are subject to damage and tampering if unprotected, at least some of the bags having reagents therein, the bags being supported in operative position within the housing, the housing being formed of the material sufficiently rigid to retain its outer shape and protect the bags supported therein from damage or tampering, connectors supported by the housing and being exposed to the exterior of the housing, and a flexible tube connected between each of the bags and the connectors to provide communication of the reagents between the bags and the connectors.