Fluid mixing system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10850243-B2
Application number	US-201816165650-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 19, 2018
Priority date	Mar 23, 2012
Publication date	Dec 1, 2020
Grant date	Dec 1, 2020

Abstract

A fluid mixing system includes a flexible bag having a first end, an opposing second end, and an interior surface bounding a compartment. A first rotational assembly includes a first casing mounted to the first end of the flexible bag and a first hub rotatably mounted to the first casing. A second rotational assembly includes a second casing mounted to the second end of the flexible bag and a second hub rotatably mounted to the second casing. An elongated member has a first end coupled with the first hub and an opposing second end coupled with the second hub, the connector being flexible and having a uniform flexibility along its entire length. A first impeller is mounted to the connector.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A fluid mixing system comprising:
a flexible bag having a first end, an opposing second end, and an interior surface bounding a compartment;
a first rotational assembly comprising a first casing securely mounted to the first end of the flexible bag and a first hub rotatably mounted to the first casing, at least a portion of the first hub being encircled by the first casing;
a second rotational assembly comprising a second casing mounted to the second end of the flexible bag and a second hub rotatably mounted to the second casing;
an elongated member having a first end coupled with the first hub and an opposing second end coupled with the second hub; and
a first impeller mounted to the elongated member.

2. The fluid mixing system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the elongated member has a substantially uniform transverse cross section along its length between the first hub and the second hub.

3. The fluid mixing system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the elongated member extends as a continuous unitary member between the first hub and the second hub.

4. The fluid mixing system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the elongated member is comprised of a polymeric material.

5. The fluid mixing system as recited in claim 1 , further comprising a drive shaft removably coupled with the first hub so that rotation of the drive shaft facilitates rotation of the first hub.

6. The fluid mixing system as recited in claim 1 , further comprising:
the first hub or the second hub having a blind socket formed thereon; and
a drive shaft received in the blind socket so that rotation of the drive shaft facilitates rotation of the first hub or the second hub.

7. The fluid mixing system as recited in claim 1 , further comprising a drive shaft that is received within the tubular elongated member and engages the first hub and the second hub.

8. The fluid mixing system as recited in claim 1 , further comprising a seal positioned between the first casing and the first hub.

9. The fluid mixing system as recited in claim 1 , further comprising a rigid support housing having a chamber in which the flexible bag is received.

10. The fluid mixing system as recited in claim 1 , further comprising a second impeller mounted to the elongated member and spaced apart from the first impeller.

11. The fluid mixing system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the first hub comprises a first stem, the first hub being coupled with the first end of the elongate member by the first stem being received within the first end of the elongate member.

12. The fluid mixing system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the first hub is tubular so that an opening passes therethrough.

13. A fluid mixing system comprising:
a flexible bag having a first end, an opposing second end, and an interior surface bounding a compartment;
a first rotational assembly comprising a first casing mounted to the first end of the flexible bag and a first hub rotatably mounted to the first casing;
a second rotational assembly comprising a second casing mounted to the second end of the flexible bag and a second hub rotatably mounted to the second casing;
an elongated member having a first end coupled with the first hub and an opposing second end coupled with the second hub;
a first impeller mounted to the elongated member; and
a drive shaft mechanically coupled with the first hub or the second hub so that rotation of the drive shaft facilitates rotation of the first hub or the second hub.

14. The fluid mixing system as recited in claim 13 , further comprising:
the first hub or the second hub having a blind socket formed thereon; and
the drive shaft being mechanically coupled with the first hub or the second hub by being received within the blind socket so that rotation of the drive shaft facilitates rotation of the first hub or the second hub.

15. The fluid mixing system as recited in claim 13 , wherein the elongated member has substantially uniform flexibility along its length between the first hub and the second hub.

16. The fluid mixing system as recited in claim 13 , wherein the elongated member is sufficiently flexible that the elongated member can be folded for transport or storage of the fluid mixing system.

17. The fluid mixing system as recited in claim 13 , wherein the elongated member extends as a continuous unitary member between the first hub and the second hub.

18. The fluid mixing system as recited in claim 13 , further comprising a rigid support housing having a chamber in which the flexible bag is received.

19. The fluid mixing system as recited in claim 13 , further comprising a second impeller mounted to the elongated member and spaced apart from the first impeller.

20. A fluid mixing system comprising:
a flexible bag having a first end, an opposing second end, and an interior surface bounding a compartment;
a first rotational assembly comprising a first casing mounted to the first end of the flexible bag and a first hub rotatably mounted to the first casing;
a second rotational assembly comprising a second casing mounted to the second end of the flexible bag and a second hub rotatably mounted to the second casing;
an elongated member having a first end coupled with the first hub and an opposing second end coupled with the second hub;
a first impeller mounted to the elongated member; and
a drive shaft removably coupled with the first hub so that rotation of the drive shaft facilitates rotation of the first hub.

Assignees

• Life Technologies Corp

Inventors

• Larsen Jeremy K
• Staheli Clinton C
• Knudsen Brandon M

Classifications

• B01F35/4112

  at the bottom of the receptacle, e.g. by studs · CPC title

• B01F27/2121 Primary

  composed of interconnected parts · CPC title

• B01F35/514

  the mixing receptacle or conduit being transparent or comprising transparent parts · CPC title

• B01F35/41

  Mounting or supporting stirrer shafts or stirrer units on receptacles · CPC title

• B01F35/40

  Mounting or supporting mixing devices or receptacles; Clamping or holding arrangements therefor · CPC title