Systems for mixing liquid solutions and methods of manufacture

• US 6,908,223 B2
• Filed: 03/28/2003
• Issued: 06/21/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Advanced Scientifics, Inc. (Thermo Fisher Scientific Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Hynetics, LLC
• Inventors: Otto, Francis J. Jr., Wages, William, Branch, Claudio, Goodwin, Michael, Elgan, Gregory P., Austin, Jim, Bibbo, Kenneth L., Buchanan, Bradley
• Primary Examiner(s): SOOHOO, TONY GLEN
• Application Number:
  US10/401,031
• Publication Number:
  US 20030231546A1
• Time in Patent Office: 816 Days
• Field of Search: 366/332, 366/333, 366/334, 366/335, 366/276, 366/275, 366/278, 366/277, 366/255, 366/258, 366/257, 366/260, 604/408, 604/416, 383/127, 206/219
• US Class Current: 366/333
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/10 Bag-type containers
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/1475 Inlet or outlet ports
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 3/002 Compounding apparatus specially for enteral or parenteral nutritive solutions bottling liquids B67C
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/02 using physical phenomena
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/07 Steam
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/087 Particle radiation, e.g. electron-beam, alpha or beta radiation
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/10 Ultraviolet radiation
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/18 Liquid substances or solutions comprising solids or dissolved gases
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/208 Hydrogen peroxide
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/26 Accessories or devices or components used for biocidal treatment
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 23/53 using driven stirrers
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 27/911 forcing the material through orifices or slits, e.g. in a stationary part
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 31/441 performing a rectilinear reciprocating movement
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 31/449 Stirrers constructions
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 33/71 working at super-atmospheric pressure, e.g. in pressurised vessels
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/50 Mixing receptacles
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/513 Flexible receptacles, e.g. bags supported by rigid containers
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/712 for feeding fluids
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/7173 using gravity, e.g. from a hopper
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/7179 using sprayers, nozzles or jets
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/71805 : using valves, gates, orifices or openings
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/71815 : using vibrations, e.g. standing waves or ultrasonic vibrations
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 23/14 : Bags
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 27/00 : Means for mixing, agitating or circulating fluids in the vessel by introduction of gas C12M29/06, C12M29/14, mixing in general or mixers per se B01F; mixing in apparatus for chemical or physical processes B01J

Abstract

A mixing system includes a flexible mixing bag having an interior surface bounding a compartment, the compartment being adapted to hold a liquid solution. A mixer is disposed within the compartment of the mixing bag. A shaft has a first end and an opposing second end. The first end of the shaft is connected to the mixer within the compartment of the mixing bag. The second end of the shaft is disposed outside of the compartment. A seal is formed between the mixing bag and the shaft or the mixer to enable the shaft to raise and lower the mixer within the compartment of the mixing bag while preventing leaking of the liquid solution.

Claims

1. A system for mixing a liquid solution comprising:

a flexible mixing bag having an interior surface bounding a compartment, the compartment being adapted to hold a liquid solution;

a mixer at least partially enclosed within the compartment of the mixing bag; and

means for raising and lowering the mixer within the compartment of the mixing bag so as to mix the solution within the compartment.

2. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein the mixing bag comprises a 3-dimensional bag comprised of a plurality of panels seamed together.

3. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein the mixer comprises:

a base having a fluid opening extending therethrough; and

a one-way valve positioned adjacent the fluid opening such that when the base moves in a first direction the one-way valve opens and when the base moves in an opposing second direction the one-way valve closes.

4. A system as recited in claim 3, wherein the one-way valve comprises a flexible flap mounted against the base.

5. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein the means for raising and lowering the mixer within the compartment of the mixing bag comprises a shaft having a first end disposed within the compartment of the mixing bag and coupled with the mixer and an opposing second end disposed outside of the compartment.

6. A system as recited in claim 5, further comprising means for enabling the mixing shaft to raise and lower the mixer within the compartment of the mixing bag while preventing leaking of the liquid solution from the compartment of the mixing bag.

7. A system as recited in claim 6, wherein the means for enabling the mixing shaft to raise and lower the mixer within the compartment of the mixing bag while preventing leaking of the liquid solution from the compartment of the mixing bag comprises a tubular seal extending between the mixing bag and the mixer or mixing shaft, the mixing shaft being at least partially disposed within the tubular seal.

8. A system as recited in claim 7, wherein the tubular seal comprises a bellow section that expands and contracts as the mixing shaft raises and lowers within the compartment of the mixing bag.

9. A system as recited in claim 7, wherein at least a portion of the tubular seal is turned inside-out as the mixing shaft raises and lowers within the compartment of the mixing bag.

10. A system as recited in claim 6, wherein the means for enabling the mixing shaft to raise and lower the mixer within the compartment of the mixing bag while preventing leaking of the liquid solution from the compartment of the mixing bag comprises a flexible diaphragm, the diaphragm having an outer portion coupled to the mixing bag and a central portion coupled to the mixing shaft or the mixer.