Fluid mixing systems including helical mixing assembly with impeller attachment

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12460171-B2
Application number	US-202217726987-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 22, 2022
Priority date	Jan 17, 2018
Publication date	Nov 4, 2025
Grant date	Nov 4, 2025

Abstract

A bioproduction mixing system includes a flexible compartment having a first end, a second end, and a sidewall extending therebetween, a center axis passing through the flexible compartment between the first end and the second end. A helical assembly is disposed within the flexible compartment and is suspended between the first end and the second end, the helical assembly being offset from the center axis of the flexible compartment.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1 . A bioproduction mixing system, comprising:
a flexible compartment having a first end, a second end, and a sidewall extending therebetween, a center axis passing through the flexible compartment between the first end and the second end; and a helical assembly disposed within the flexible compartment and suspended between the first end and the second end, the helical assembly being offset from the center axis of the flexible compartment, wherein the helical assembly comprises a flexible first line, a flexible second line disposed lateral to the first line, and a cross member extending between the first line and the second line.

2 . The bioproduction mixing system of claim 1 , wherein the flexible compartment is rectangular in shape to resist vortex formation and provide a baffling characteristic.

3 . The bioproduction mixing system of claim 1 , wherein the helical assembly rotates relative to the flexible compartment about a rotational axis, the rotational axis being offset from the center axis of the flexible compartment.

4 . The bioproduction mixing system of claim 3 , wherein the helical assembly has a helical configuration when rotated about the rotational axis.

5 . The bioproduction mixing system of claim 3 , wherein the offset rotational axis passes through a corner line that extends from the center axis of the flexible compartment to a corner of the flexible compartment.

6 . The bioproduction mixing system of claim 3 , wherein the offset rotational axis passes through a sidewall line that extends from the center axis of the flexible compartment parallel to a mid-point a side of the sidewall.

7 . The bioproduction mixing system of claim 3 , wherein the rotational axis is offset from the center axis by about 14% of a maximum width of the flexible compartment.

8 . The bioproduction mixing system of claim 3 , wherein the rotational axis is offset from the center axis by between 12% and 16% of a maximum width of the flexible compartment.

9 . The bioproduction mixing system of claim 3 , wherein the rotational axis is offset from the center axis by between 10% and 18% of a maximum width of the flexible compartment.

10 . The bioproduction mixing system of claim 3 , wherein the rotational axis is offset from the center axis by between 8% and 20% of a maximum width of the flexible compartment.

11 . The bioproduction mixing system of claim 3 , wherein the rotational axis is offset from the center axis by between 6% and 22% of a maximum width of the flexible compartment.

12 . The bioproduction mixing system of claim 3 , wherein the offset is between 4% and 24% of the total compartment width to optimize bulk flow.

13 . The bioproduction mixing system of claim 1 , further comprising an impeller coupled to the cross member.

14 . The bioproduction mixing system of claim 13 , further comprising the impeller coupling to the first line and the second line at locations spaced apart from the cross member.

15 . The bioproduction mixing system of claim 1 , further comprising a rung extending between the first line and the second line and being spaced apart from the cross member.

16 . The bioproduction mixing system of claim 1 , further comprising a first bearing assembly mounted to the first end of the compartment, the first bearing assembly including a drive shaft protruding into the compartment and coupling to an upper end of the helical assembly.

17 . The bioproduction mixing system of claim 16 , further comprising a second bearing assembly mounted to the second end of the compartment and coupled to a lower end of the helical assembly.

18 . The bioproduction mixing system of claim 17 , wherein the second bearing assembly further includes a thrust pin protruding into the flexible compartment and a pull handle extending outwardly from the flexible compartment, the thrust pin and pull handle physically communicate through a seal port.

Assignees

• Life Technologies Corp

Inventors

• Jones Nephi
• Kjar Steven
• Mills Brycen
• Smith Mark
• West Derik

Classifications

• C12M41/48

  Automatic or computerized control (automatic analysis G01N35/00) · CPC title

• C12M23/50

  Means for positioning or orientating the apparatus (C12M41/08 takes precedence) · CPC title

• C12M27/02

  Stirrer or mobile mixing elements · CPC title

• B01F2101/44

  Mixing of ingredients for microbiology, enzymology, in vitro culture or genetic manipulation · CPC title

• B01F2035/352

  Bearings · CPC title