Bioreactor systems
OwnerLarry Runyoninventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention provides novel bioreactor systems, adapted to provide continuous batch incubation of microbes, especially bacteria. The bioreactor bags are preloaded with dry, inert microbes prior to being shipped to the user. Multiple sterile, preloaded, disposable bioreactor bags are used in a self-contained housing. The bags are automatically incubated in the housing and dispensed, preferably into an irrigation system. The system will provide serial batch production of useful microbes for a week or more, without further supervision or intervention. Methods of manufacture, methods of use, methods of sales, and methods of farming are also provided.
Claims31
A bioreactor system, comprising:
- at least one flexible container adapted to flexibly contain at least one fluid and containing a soluble container that includes therein at least one microbe in a substantially dry inert state;
- at least one fluid input that provides fluid communication with said at least one flexible container and is adapted to input fluid into said at least one flexible container, said soluble container soluble within a first input fluid;
- at least one fluid output that provides fluid communication with said at least one flexible container and is adapted to output fluid from said at least one flexible container;
- at least one gas input that provides fluid communication with said at least one flexible container and is adapted to input at least one gas into said at least one flexible container and create bubbles in said at least one fluid;
- at least one gas output that provides fluid communication with said at least one flexible container and is adapted to output said at least one gas from said at least one flexible container;
- an enclosure including therein at least said at least one flexible container;
- and
- a temperature regulator that regulates temperature within said enclosure, wherein said at least one flexible container comprises a plurality of said flexible containers that are not capable of motion with respect to one another or with respect to said enclosure.
A bioreactor system, comprising;
- a plurality of opaque flexible containers, each containing therein a substantially dry inert microbe disposed within a first water soluble container therein, a substantially dry inert nutrient disposed within a second water soluble container therein, and a substantially dry inert enzyme disposed within a third water soluble container therein, each said opaque flexible container adapted to contain at least one fluid therein;
- at least one fluid input adapted to input fluid into each said flexible container to convert said substantially dry inert microbe into a live microbe, said substantially dry inert nutrient into an available nutrient, said substantially dry inert enzyme into an activated enzyme and to cause said available nutrient and said activated enzyme to bioreact with said live microbe;
- at least one fluid output adapted to output fluid including said live microbe from each said opaque flexible container;
- at least one gas input adapted to input at least one gas into each said opaque flexible container;
- and
- at least one gas output adapted to output said at least one gas from each said opaque flexible container,
- wherein each said opaque flexible container is disposable and replaceable and said plurality of opaque flexible containers are not capable of motion with respect to one another.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.