# US 9,872,448 B2 · Bioreactor vessel for large scale growing of plants under aseptic condition

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- Number: US 9,872,448 B2
- Document ID: US9872448B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/415,711
- Filed: 2013-08-01
- Published: 2015-06-04
- Granted: 2018-01-23
- Earliest claimed: 2012-08-06
- Assignees: Council of Scientific and Industrial Research
- Applicants: Council of Scientific & Industrial Research
- Inventors: Rajesh Thakur; Anil Sood; Paramvir Singh Ahuja
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9872448B2

## CPC

- A01G 31/02: Special apparatus therefor (self-acting watering devices A01G27/00)
- A01G 9/16: Dismountable or portable greenhouses {; Greenhouses with sliding roofs}
- A01H 4/001: {Culture apparatus for tissue culture}
- C12M 21/08: {for producing artificial tissue or for ex-vivo cultivation of tissue (prostheses A61F2/00, grafts A61L27/00)}
- C12M 35/04: {Mechanical means, e.g. sonic waves, stretching forces, pressure or shear stimuli}
- C12M 35/00: {Means for application of stress for stimulating the growth of microorganisms or the generation of fermentation or metabolic products; Means for electroporation or cell fusion (machines for extracting juice from animal or plant tissue by electroplasmolysis A23N1/006, processes employing electric or wave energy B01J19/08; treatment of microorganisms or enzymes with electrical or wave energy C12N13/00; methods for cell fusion C12N15/02; introduction of foreign genetic material C12N15/87)}
- A01G: HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING (picking of fruits, vegetables, hops or the like A01D46/00; propagating unicellular algae C12N1/12)
- A01H: NEW PLANTS OR {NON-TRANSGENIC} PROCESSES FOR OBTAINING THEM; PLANT REPRODUCTION BY TISSUE CULTURE TECHNIQUES
- 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 is used for growing plants or tissues under aseptic conditions. The apparatus includes a lid and a base compartment. A linking mechanism is provided for connecting the lid and the base compartment. The linking mechanism is provided with a locking mechanism, which is movable from a locked position to an un-locked position and vice-versa. In the locked position, the locking mechanism holds the lid in an abutting closed relation with respect to the base compartment. In the un-locked position, the linking mechanism is provided with means for automatically lifting the lid to an elevated-suspended position with respect to the base compartment thereby providing an access route to reach the base compartment and perform desired operations.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An apparatus for growing plants or tissues under aseptic conditions, comprising:
a lid;
a base compartment; and
a linking mechanism, connecting the lid and the base compartment; the linking mechanism being provided with a locking mechanism, wherein the linking mechanism is movable from a locked position to an un-locked position and vice-versa, wherein in the locked position, the locking mechanism holds the lid in an abutting closed relation with respect to the base compartment and wherein the linking mechanism is configured so that, when it is in the un-locked position, the linking mechanism automatically lifts the lid to an elevated-suspended position with respect to the base compartment thereby providing an access route to reach the base compartment,
wherein the linking mechanism comprises:
at least one first member having a first end and a second end; the first end of the first member being angularly connected to a lateral surface of the base compartment;
at least one second member having a top end and a bottom end; the bottom end of the second member being pivotally connected to the second end of the first member;
at least one third member having a top and bottom end; the bottom end of the third member being pivotally connected to the bottom end of the second member and the top end of the third member connected to a lateral surface of the lid; and
at least one fourth member having a top and bottom end; the bottom end of the fourth member being pivotally connected to the top end of the second member and the top end of the fourth member connected to a lateral surface of the lid.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lid comprises:
at least one of:
at least one nutrient medium supply channel; and
at least fogger configured to enable at least one ventilation selected from the group consisting of fogging ventilation, misting ventilation, and forced ventilation within the apparatus.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base compartment comprises a nutrient entry port at an elevated position; a base unit located below the nutrient entry port; wherein the base unit comprises holding trays and a handle attached to the holding trays.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the base compartment has a first drain port at an elevation lower than the holding tray.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the base-compartment has a second drain port at an elevation higher than the first drain port; the second drain port being at an elevation higher than the holding tray.

### Claim 6 (depends on 3)

The apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the base unit has a support structure configured to locate the holding trays at a predetermined position.

### Claim 7 (depends on 3)

The apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein a floor of the base unit is inclined with respect to a horizontal axis.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, at least two springs configured to automatically lift the lid upwards, wherein the at least two springs comprise a first spring positioned at a pivotal connection between the second and the third members, and a second spring positioned at a pivotal connection between the second and the fourth members.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the apparatus is a bioreactor vessel.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lid further comprises an inverted U-shaped overhang enclosing a curved belt of non-absorbent pad to act as a cushion for disallowing contaminants from entering into the apparatus.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the non-absorbent pad is a cotton pad.

### Claim 12

A system for growing plants or tissues under aseptic conditions, comprising an apparatus and a tank,
the apparatus comprising;
a first lid;
a base compartment; and
a linking mechanism, connecting the first lid and the base compartment; the linking mechanism being provided with a locking mechanism, wherein the linking mechanism is movable from a locked position to an un-locked position and vice-versa, wherein in the locked position, the locking mechanism holds the first lid in an abutting closed relation with respect to the base compartment and wherein the linking mechanism is configured so that, when it is in the un-locked position, the linking mechanism automatically lifts the first lid to an elevated-suspended position with respect to the base compartment thereby providing an access route to reach the base compartment,
wherein the linking mechanism comprises:
at least one first member having a first end and a second end; the first end of the first member being angularly connected to a lateral surface of the base compartment;
at least one second member having a top end and a bottom end; the bottom end of the second member being pivotally connected to the second end of the first member;
at least one third member having a top and bottom end; the bottom end of the third member being pivotally connected to the bottom end of the second member and the top end of the third member connected to a lateral surface of the first lid; and
at least one fourth member having a top and bottom end; the bottom end of the fourth member being pivotally connected to the top end of the second member and the top end of the fourth member connected to a lateral surface of the first lid;
the tank for providing a nutrient material to the apparatus, comprising:
a body containing the nutrient material;
a second lid provided with a sealing-gasket positioned on top of the body and fastened to the body via a plurality of fastening devices;
a plurality of sealed diaphragm valves positioned on the second lid and configured to provide air compression/release, which are provided for an inlet/outlet for a liquid medium; and
a liquid medium supply port connected to one or more of said valves for supplying the liquid medium to the body.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The system as claimed in claim 12, further comprising an outlet connected to the tank and configured to ensure complete draining of the content from inside.

### Claim 14

An apparatus for growing plants or tissues under aseptic conditions, comprising:
a lid;
a base compartment; and
a linking mechanism, connecting the lid and the base compartment; the linking mechanism being provided with a locking mechanism, wherein the linking mechanism is movable from a locked position to an un-locked position and vice-versa, wherein in the locked position, the locking mechanism holds the lid in an abutting closed relation with respect to the base compartment and wherein the linking mechanism is configured so that, when it is in the un-locked position, the linking mechanism automatically lifts the lid to an elevated-suspended position with respect to the base compartment thereby providing an access-route to reach the base compartment;
wherein the linking mechanism comprises:
at least one first member having a first end and a second end; the first end of the first member being angularly connected to a lateral surface of the base compartment;
at least one second member having a top end and a bottom end; the bottom end of the second member being pivotally connected to the second end of the first member;
at least one third member having a top and bottom end; the bottom end of the third member being pivotally connected to the bottom end of the second member and the top end of the third member connected to a lateral surface of the lid;
at least one fourth member having a top and bottom end; the bottom end of the fourth member being pivotally connected to the top end of the second member and the top end of the fourth member connected to a lateral surface of the lid; and
at least two springs configured to automatically lift the lid upwards, wherein the at least two springs comprise a first spring positioned at a pivotal connection between the second and the third members and a second spring positioned at a pivotal-connection between the second and the fourth members.