Mixing tank assembly

• US 6,923,567 B2
• Filed: 03/28/2003
• Issued: 08/02/2005
• 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: Buchanan, Bradley, Elgan, Gregory P., Austin, Jim, Bibbo, Kenneth L., Branch, Claudio
• Primary Examiner(s): SOOHOO, TONY GLEN
• Application Number:
  US10/401,525
• Publication Number:
  US 20040027912A1
• Time in Patent Office: 858 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, 366/149, 366/314, 366/316, 604/408, 604/416, 383/217, 206/219
• US Class Current: 366/149
• 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 35/71 Feed mechanisms with proportioning B01F35/80
• 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 tank assembly includes a side wall having an interior surface at least partially bounding a chamber. A floor is disposed within or at the base of the chamber. The floor can be either fixed to the side wall or movably disposed within the chamber thereof. A collapsible container is disposed within the chamber so as to rest on the floor. The collapsible container bounds a compartment. A mixer is disposed within the compartment of the container.

Claims

1. A mixing tank assembly comprising:

a side wall having an interior surface at least partially bounding a chamber;

a floor disposed within or at the base of the chamber, the floor having an opening extending therethrough;

a collapsible container disposed within the chamber so as to rest on the floor, the collapsible container bounding a compartment;

a mixer disposed within the compartment of the container; and

a shaft having a first end coupled with the mixer and an opposing second end extending down through the opening in the floor.

2. A mixing tank assembly as recited in claim 1, further comprising means for selectively raising and lowering the floor within the chamber.

3. A mixing tank assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the means for selectively raising and lowering the floor within the chamber comprises:

a vertically disposed threaded shaft disposed outside of side wall;

a strut having a first end coupled with the floor and an opposing second end extending through the side wall and engaging the threaded shaft, and

a driver selectively rotating the threaded shaft so as to selectively move the strut along the threaded shaft.

4. A mixing tank assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the collapsible container comprises a flexible bag.

5. A mixing tank assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the floor has a substantially conical or frustoconical configuration.

6. A mixing tank assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the side wall comprises:

a substantially C-shaped body bounding a doorway; and

a door hingedly mounted in the doorway so as to move between and open and closed position.

7. A mixing tank assembly as recited in claim 6, further comprising means for selectively locking the door in the closed position.

8. A mixing tank assembly as recited in claim 1, further comprising means for selectively heating or cooling a solution within the chamber bounded by the side wall.

9. A mixing tank assembly as recited in claim 8, wherein the means for selectively heating or cooling comprises the side wall having an inner wall and an outer wall with a sealed fluid channel being formed therebetween.

10. A mixing tank assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the side wall comprises an inner wall, an outer wall, and a central wall disposed therebetween, a fluid channel being formed between the inner wall and the central wall, insulation being disposed between the central wall and the outer wall.

11. A mixing tank assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the floor is rigidly secured to the side wall.

12. A mixing tank assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the side wall has an interior surface with a cross sectional transverse configuration that is polygonal.

13. A mixing tank assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the cross sectional transverse configuration is hexagonal.

14. A mixing tank assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the chamber bounded by the floor and the side wall has a volume of at least 100 liters.

15. A mixing tank assembly comprising:

a side wall having an interior surface at least partially bounding a chamber;

a floor disposed within the chamber;

means for selectively raising and lowering the floor within the chamber;

a collapsible container disposed within the chamber so as to rest on the floor, the collapsible container bounding a compartment; and

a mixer disposed within the compartment of the container.

16. A mixing tank assembly as recited in claim 15, wherein the collapsible container comprises a flexible bag.

17. A mixing tank assembly as recited in claim 15, wherein the chamber bounded by the side wall and the floor has a volume of at least 500 liters.

18. A mixing tank assembly as recited in claim 15, further comprising an annular lip mounted to the floor and projecting from the floor toward the side wall, the lip being comprised of a polymeric material.

19. A mixing tank assembly as recited in claim 15, wherein the means for selectively raising and lowering the floor within the chamber comprises:

a vertically disposed threaded shaft disposed outside of side wall;

a strut having a first end coupled with the floor and an opposing second end extending through the side wall and engaging the threaded shaft, and

a driver selectively rotating the threaded shaft so as to selectively move the strut along the threaded shaft.

20. A mixing tank assembly as recited in claim 15, wherein the floor has a substantially conical or frustoconical configuration.

21. A mixing tank assembly as recited in claim 15, further comprising means for selectively heating or cooling a solution within the chamber bounded by the side wall.

22. An adjustable mixing tank comprising:

a side wall having an interior surface and an exterior surface extending between an upper end and an opposing lower end, the interior surface at least partially bounding a chamber;

a plurality of spaced apart slots extending between the interior surface and the exterior surface of the side wall and extending between the upper end and the lower end thereof;

a floor movably disposed within the chamber; and

a plurality of struts each having a first end coupled with the floor and an opposing second end outwardly projecting through a corresponding slot.

23. An adjustable mixing tank as recited in claim 22, further comprising means for selectively raising and lowering the plurality of struts.

24. An adjustable mixing tank as recited in claim 22, wherein the means for selectively raising and lowering the plurality of struts comprises:

a plurality of a vertically disposed threaded shafts disposed outside of side wall, the second end of each strut engaging a corresponding shaft; and

at least one driver selectively rotating the threaded shafts so as to selectively move the struts along the threaded shafts.

25. An adjustable mixing tank as recited in claim 22, further comprising an elongated slot cover having a first end connected with the floor or one of the plurality of struts, the slot cover upwardly extending so as to cover a select slot of the plurality of slots above the floor.

26. An adjustable mixing tank as recited in claim 22, further comprising means for selectively covering and uncovering portions of a select slot of the plurality of the slots.

27. An adjustable mixing tank as recited in claim 26, wherein the means for selectively covering and uncovering portions of the select slot comprises an elongated slot cover having a first end connected with the floor or one of the plurality of struts, the slot cover upwardly extending so as to cover the select slot above the floor.

28. An adjustable mixing tank as recited in claim 22, wherein the floor has a substantially conical or frustoconical configuration.

29. An adjustable mixing tank as recited in claim 22, wherein the side wall comprises:

a substantially C-shaped body bounding a doorway; and

a door hingedly mounted in the doorway so as to move between and open and closed position.

30. An adjustable mixing tank as recited in claim 29, further comprising means for selectively locking the door in the closed position.

31. An adjustable mixing tank as recited in claim 22, further comprising means for selectively heating or cooling a solution within the chamber bounded by the side wall.

32. An adjustable mixing tank as recited in claim 22, wherein the side wall comprises a plurality of sections divided by the plurality of slots, each section comprising an inner wall and an outer wall with a sealed fluid channel being formed therebetween, each adjacent section being fluid coupled together by a conduit.

33. An adjustable mixing tank as recited in claim 22, wherein the side wall comprises an inner wall, an outer wall, and a central wall disposed therebetween, a fluid channel being formed between the inner wall and the central wall, insulation being disposed between the central wall and the outer wall.

34. An adjustable mixing tank as recited in claim 22, wherein the side wall has an interior surface with a cross sectional transverse configuration that is polygonal.

35. A mixing tank assembly comprising:

a side wall having an interior surface at least partially bounding a chamber, the side wall comprising an inner wall and an outer wall with a sealed fluid channel being formed therebetween;

a floor disposed within or below the chamber; and

a collapsible container disposed within the chamber so as to rest on the floor, the collapsible container bounding a compartment;

a mixer disposed within the compartment of the collapsible container, the mixer being adapted to facilitate mixing of a solution by being raised and lowered within the solution; and

means for selectively raising and lowering the mixer within the compartment of the collapsible container.

36. A mixing tank assembly as recited in claim 35, wherein the collapsible container comprises a flexible bag.

37. A mixing tank assembly as recited in claim 35, wherein a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet is formed on the side wall in communication with the fluid channel.

38. A mixing tank assembly as recited in claim 35, further comprising a central wall disposed between the inner wall and the outer wall of the side wall, the fluid channel being formed between the inner wall and the central wall.

39. A mixing tank assembly as recited in claim 38, further comprising:

a plurality of spaced apart structural spacer extending between the inner wall and the central wall; and

a plurality of channeling ribs extending between the inner wall and the central wall.

40. A mixing tank assembly as recited in claim 38, further comprising an insulation layer being disposed between the central wall and the outer wall.

41. A mixing tank assembly as recited in claim 35, wherein the floor is rigidly connected to the side wall.

42. A mixing tank assembly as recited in claim 35, further comprising means for selectively raising and lowering the floor within the chamber of the side wall.

43. A mixing tank assembly as recited in claim 35, wherein the compartment of the collapsible container has a volume of at least 1,000 liters.

44. A mixing tank assembly comprising:

a side wall having an interior surface at least partially bounding a chamber;

a floor disposed within the chamber;

an annular lip mounted to the floor and projecting from the floor toward the side wall, the lip being comprised of a polymeric material;

means for selectively raising and lowering the floor within the chamber; and

a collapsible container disposed within the chamber so as to rest on the floor, the collapsible container bounding a compartment.

45. A mixing tank assembly as recited in claim 44, wherein the collapsible container comprises a flexible bag made of one or more polymeric sheets that rests directly against the interior surface of the side wall.

46. A mixing tank assembly as recited in claim 44, wherein the chamber bounded by the side wall and the floor has a volume of at least 100 liters.

47. A mixing tank assembly comprising:

a side wall having an interior surface at least partially bounding a chamber;

a floor disposed within the chamber;

means for selectively raising and lowering the floor within the chamber, the means comprising;

a vertically disposed threaded shaft disposed outside of side wall;

a strut having a first end coupled with the floor and an opposing second end extending through the side wall and engaging the threaded shaft, and

a driver selectively rotating the threaded shaft so as to selectively move the strut along the threaded shaft; and

a collapsible container disposed within the chamber so as to rest on the floor, the collapsible container bounding a compartment.

48. A mixing tank assembly as recited in claim 47, wherein the collapsible container comprises a flexible bag made of one or more polymeric sheets that rests directly against the interior surface of the side wall.

49. A mixing tank assembly as recited in claim 47, wherein the chamber bounded by the side wall and the floor has a volume of at least 100 liters.

50. A mixing tank assembly comprising:

a side wall having an interior surface at least partially bounding a chamber;

a floor disposed within the chamber;

means for selectively raising and lowering the floor within the chamber;

a collapsible container disposed within the chamber so as to rest on the floor, the collapsible container bounding a compartment; and

means for selectively heating or cooling a solution within the chamber bounded by the side wall.

51. A mixing tank assembly as recited in claim 50, wherein the collapsible container comprises a flexible bag made of one or more polymeric sheets that rests directly against the interior surface of the side wall.

52. A mixing tank assembly as recited in claim 50, wherein the side wall has an interior surface with a cross sectional transverse configuration that is polygonal having at least five sides.

53. A mixing tank assembly as recited in claim 50, wherein the means for selectively heating or cooling comprises the side wall at least partially bounding a chamber, the side wall comprising an inner wall and an outer wall with a sealed fluid channel being formed therebetween.