US 12,128,371 B2
Fluid mixing system with flexible drive line and foldable impeller
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, Carslbad, CA (US)
Filed by LIFE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION, Carlsbad, CA (US)
Filed on Mar. 19, 2019, as Appl. No. 16/358,263.
Application 16/358,263 is a continuation of application No. 15/803,327, filed on Nov. 3, 2017, granted, now 10,272,400.
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 2019/0209981 A1, Jul. 11, 2019
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
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)] 26 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A fluid mixing system comprising:
a container bounding a compartment, the compartment being configured to hold a fluid;
an elongated drive line or drive shaft at least partially disposed within the compartment of the container, the drive line or drive shaft being rotatable relative to the container; and
a first impeller disposed within the compartment of the container, the first impeller comprising:
a hub secured to the drive line or drive shaft, the hub having a central longitudinal axis extending therethrough;
a flange radially outwardly projecting from the hub and projecting radially outwardly away from the central longitudinal axis of the hub, the flange comprising a stop projecting therefrom with a key projecting from the stop, wherein the stop has a greater width than the key; and
a plurality of blades being pivotably coupled to the flange, each of the plurality of blades comprising:
an elongated arm extending between a first end and an opposing second end, the elongated arm comprising an axle disposed at the first end of the elongated arm, wherein the first end is pivotably coupled to the flange by the axle so that the elongated arm pivots about a rotational axis, the rotational axis being disposed parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the hub; and
an enlarged blade head disposed at the second end of the elongated arm.