# US 10,501,720 B2 · Mixing and filtering system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,501,720 B2 - Document ID: US10501720B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/294,737 - Filed: 2019-03-06 - Published: 2019-08-29 - Granted: 2019-12-10 - Earliest claimed: 2014-10-17 - Assignees: Sani-Tech West, Inc. - Applicants: Sani-Tech West, Inc. - Inventors: Richard J. Shor; Chris A. Ballew - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10501720B2 ## CPC - C12M 47/02: {Separating microorganisms from the culture medium; Concentration of biomass (separating microorganisms from their culture media C12N1/02)} - C12M 27/02: {Stirrer or mobile mixing elements} - C12M 29/00: {Means for introduction, extraction or recirculation of materials, e.g. pumps (pumps per se F04B)} - C12M 33/14: {with filters, sieves or membranes} - C12M 37/02: {Filters} - C12M 37/04: {Seals} - C12M: APPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY; {APPARATUS FOR CULTURING MICROORGANISMS FOR PRODUCING BIOMASS, FOR GROWING CELLS OR FOR OBTAINING FERMENTATION OR METABOLIC PRODUCTS, i.e. BIOREACTORS OR FERMENTERS} ## Abstract An apparatus for growing and separating cells or micro carriers from fluid medium in an aseptic environment, has a sealed, air and liquid tight, container having a port to allow for the introduction of fluid, gas or components, a filter with a filtration medium mounted centrally around an axis extending through the container, a mixing assembly that rotates around the filtration medium to allow for suspension of media or agitation thereof, and the mixing assembly has vanes containing a magnetic unit in a lower portion thereof that allows for coupling to a stir plate for driving the vanes of the mixing assembly. The vanes are preferably suspended by a central bearing located above the filter, and preferably the vanes extend downward to proximate the bottom of the container to the same extent as the filter and a diptube located along the axis of the filter and vanes. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A mixing container assembly which can be used to grow and separate cells or micro carriers from liquid or fluid medium in an aseptic environment, comprising: a. a container having a sealing mechanism for being sealed both air and liquid tight, the container having a flat bottom; b. at least one port through a portion of the container to allow for the introduction of fluid, gas or components; c. a central filter fixedly mounted in the container and extending into proximity with the bottom of the container; d. a mixing assembly rotatably suspended from above the filter and having fins that rotate around an outer periphery of the filter and extend into proximity with the bottom of the container; e. a magnetic unit in a lower portion of the mixing assembly that allows for coupling to a stir plate for driving the fins of the mixing assembly from below the bottom of the container; and f. a central diptube which extends from the top of the container through the filter and proximate the bottom of the container. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The mixing container assembly of claim 1, wherein the mixing assembly is suspended from above the central filter with an integral bearing device. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The mixing container assembly of claim 2, wherein there is a central support which serves as an axis of rotation for the fins and as a support for the integral bearing device. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The mixing container assembly of claim 2, wherein the integral bearing device is designed to work dry. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The mixing container assembly of claim 2, wherein the integral bearing device is located inside a bore in a top portion of the mixing assembly. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The mixing container assembly of claim 1, wherein the mixing assembly is supported by a framework. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The mixing container assembly of claim 1, wherein the filter is constructed with filter mesh that is one of pleated and/or flat screen. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The mixing container assembly of claim 1, wherein the magnetic unit comprises a split magnet in which there are two magnets oriented in opposing directions and spaced from each other more than a diameter of the filter, whereby the filter is disposed between the magnets. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The mixing container assembly of claim 1, wherein the container is a rigid container. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The mixing container assembly of claim 1, wherein the mixing assembly fins each extend laterally away from the bottom of the filter at a lower horizontal edge adjacent to the bottom of the container, and a top of each fin is narrower than the lower horizontal edge. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The mixing container assembly of claim 1, wherein the mixing assembly does not extend underneath the filter. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The mixing container assembly of claim 1, wherein the magnetic unit comprises a dual magnet design with two magnets that are the same size and shape at a low point of the fins of the mixing assembly, with one magnet being located pointing its north pole in the downward position and the other is pointing its opposing south pole in the downward position. ### Claim 13 A mixing container assembly which can be used to grow and separate cells or micro carriers from liquid or fluid medium in an aseptic environment, comprising: a. a container having a sealing mechanism for being sealed both air and liquid tight and having a bottom; b. at least one port through a portion of the container to allow for the introduction of fluid, gas or components; c. a central filter fixedly mounted in the container and extending into proximity with the bottom of the container; d. a mixing assembly rotatably suspended from above the filter and having two fins that rotate around an outer periphery of the filter and extend into proximity with the bottom of the container, the fins each extending laterally away from the bottom of the filter at a lower horizontal edge adjacent to the bottom of the container, and a top of each fin is narrower than the lower horizontal edge; e. a magnet in a lower portion of each fin that allows for coupling to a stir plate for driving the fins of the mixing assembly from below the bottom of the container; and f. a central diptube which extends from the top of the container through the filter and proximate the bottom of the container. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The mixing container assembly of claim 13, wherein the mixing assembly is suspended from above the central filter with an integral bearing device, the assembly having a central support which serves as an axis of rotation for the fins and as a support for the integral bearing device. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The mixing container assembly of claim 14, wherein the integral bearing device is designed to work dry and located inside a bore in a top portion of the mixing assembly. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The mixing container assembly of claim 13, wherein the filter is constructed with filter mesh that is one of pleated and/or flat screen. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The mixing container assembly of claim 13, wherein the magnet in each fin is oriented in an opposing direction from the other magnet and spaced from the other magnet more than a diameter of the filter, whereby the filter is disposed between the magnets. ### Claim 18 (depends on 13) The mixing container assembly of claim 13, wherein the container is a rigid container and the bottom of the container is flat. ### Claim 19 (depends on 13) The mixing container assembly of claim 13, wherein the mixing assembly does not extend underneath the filter. ### Claim 20 (depends on 13) The mixing container assembly of claim 13, wherein the fins are vertically extending and the filter is cylindrical.