US 12,226,743 B2
Methods for mixing a fluid with foldable impellers
Clinton C. Staheli, Brigham City, UT (US); Brandon M. Knudsen, Hyrum, UT (US); Trevor G. Williams, Providence, UT (US); and Steven R. Kjar, Logan, UT (US)
Assigned to Life Technologies Corporation, Carlsbad, CA (US)
Filed by Life Technologies Corporation, Carlsbad, CA (US)
Filed on Dec. 1, 2022, as Appl. No. 18/060,728.
Application 18/060,728 is a division of application No. 16/358,263, filed on Mar. 19, 2019.
Application 16/358,263 is a continuation of application No. 15/803,327, filed on Nov. 3, 2017, granted, now 10,272,400, issued on Apr. 30, 2019.
Application 15/803,327 is a continuation of application No. 14/390,956, granted, now 9,839,886, issued on Dec. 12, 2017, previously published as PCT/US2013/031608, filed on Mar. 14, 2013.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/621,064, filed on Apr. 6, 2012.
Prior Publication US 2023/0093549 A1, Mar. 23, 2023
Int. Cl. B01F 27/054 (2022.01); B01F 27/07 (2022.01); B01F 27/072 (2022.01); B01F 27/1125 (2022.01); B01F 27/191 (2022.01); B01F 27/21 (2022.01); B01F 27/2111 (2022.01); B01F 27/88 (2022.01); B01F 27/906 (2022.01); B01F 35/41 (2022.01); B01F 35/513 (2022.01); C12M 1/00 (2006.01); C12M 1/06 (2006.01)
CPC B01F 27/212 (2022.01) [B01F 27/0541 (2022.01); B01F 27/071 (2022.01); B01F 27/0726 (2022.01); B01F 27/1125 (2022.01); B01F 27/11253 (2022.01); B01F 27/191 (2022.01); B01F 27/2111 (2022.01); B01F 27/88 (2022.01); B01F 27/906 (2022.01); B01F 35/41 (2022.01); B01F 35/4111 (2022.01); B01F 35/4121 (2022.01); B01F 35/513 (2022.01); C12M 23/14 (2013.01); C12M 23/52 (2013.01); C12M 27/02 (2013.01)] 15 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of mixing a fluid, the method comprising:
at least partially unfolding a collapsible bag bounding a compartment, the collapsible bag containing in the compartment at least a portion of an elongated drive line and an impeller secured to the drive line, the impeller including a plurality of impeller blades that are pivotable relative to the drive line, at least one of the plurality of impeller blades being in a collapsed position, and at least a portion of the length of the drive line being flexible;
delivering a fluid into the compartment of the collapsible bag; and
rotating the drive line so as to rotate the impeller within the compartment and mix the fluid therein, the at least one of the plurality of impeller blades pivoting from the collapsed position to an expanded position as the impeller is rotated within the compartment,
wherein the drive line is at least partially disposed within the compartment of the collapsible bag, wherein at least 30% of the drive line within the compartment is sufficiently flexible that it can be twisted under torsion over an angle of at least 45° without plastic deformation, and the drive line is comprised of a flexible cable, cord or a single solid core line.