Aseptic yeast transfer apparatus and method
AssigneeWldna, LLC
InventorChris White
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A yeast storage and transfer vessel having semi-permeable materials and a method for transfer of liquid yeast to a fermentor using said vessel and a peristaltic pump. In some embodiments, one or more opening(s) may include a port and valves and/or filters allowing the egress of carbon dioxide and other fermentation gases out of the yeast vessel. The bag storage vessel materials may also include semi-permeable materials. The herein disclosed apparatus and method permit the sterile transfer and mixing of yeast and/or fermentation product into a variety of fermentors, in addition to sterile pumping action in the reverse direction.
Claims11
A yeast vessel, comprising:
- a yeast connector, and yeast storage bag;
- said yeast storage bag comprising yeast storage bag walls and a yeast storage bag periphery, the yeast storage bag walls having an external structural layering and an internal structural layering, the yeast storage bag periphery including laser perforations that blends the external structural layering and the internal structural layering, allows CO2 to vent out of the yeast vessel, minimizes the ingress of oxygen back into the yeast vessel and allows the yeast vessel to function under repeated fluctuations in pressure and temperature;
- the yeast storage bag walls further comprising PET laminate materials;
- said yeast connector further comprising a cap adapter;
- and
- said yeast connector comprising at least one port having an opening and a filter in sealing engagement with the port adapted to support an aseptic transfer of liquid yeast under a range of temperature and pressure conditions, the port adapted to reseal the yeast vessel under aseptic conditions, permitting semi-permeable efflux of carbon dioxide out of the yeast vessel.
A yeast vessel, comprising:
- a yeast storage bag comprising yeast storage bag walls and a yeast storage bag periphery, the yeast storage bag walls having an external structural layering and an internal structural layering, the yeast storage bag periphery including laser perforations that blends the external structural layering and the internal structural layering, allows CO2 to vent out of the yeast vessel, minimizes the ingress of oxygen back into the yeast vessel and allows the yeast vessel to function under repeated fluctuations in pressure and temperature;
- a yeast connector;
- the yeast connector and yeast storage bag support aseptic yeast transfer into fermentors;
- the yeast connector and yeast storage bag remaining fully functional following more than one hundred transfer cycles and under low pressure conditions, the yeast storage bag having yeast storage vessel walls further comprising PET laminate, said yeast connector comprising at least one port adapted to reseal the yeast vessel under aseptic conditions;
- and
- a valve in cap engagement with the at least one of the port, the valve allowing egress of fermentation gases, thereby enhancing yeast health and minimizing contamination by microorganisms.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.