Abstract: Magnetically coupled mixer having an impeller magnetically coupled to a drive shaft and thrust bearings that support the impeller. The drive shaft can be moved along its axis, and an upwardly directed axial force is applied to the drive shaft to partially offset downward forces exerted by the impeller and thereby reduce friction between the thrust bearing surfaces while maintaining contact between them. In one disclosed embodiment, the force is applied to the drive shaft by a pair of magnets arranged so that the magnetic fields interact to produce the force, and the magnitude of the force is controlled by adjusting the distance between the magnets. The forces exerted by the impeller can be monitored and utilized in controlling the magnitude of the force applied to the shaft.

Abstract: Magnetically coupled mixer having an impeller magnetically coupled to a drive shaft and thrust bearings that support the impeller. The drive shaft can be moved along its axis, and an upwardly directed axial force is applied to the drive shaft to partially offset downward forces exerted by the impeller and thereby reduce friction between the thrust bearing surfaces while maintaining contact between them. In one disclosed embodiment, the force is applied to the drive shaft by a pair of magnets arranged so that the magnetic fields interact to produce the force, and the magnitude of the force is controlled by adjusting the distance between the magnets. The forces exerted by the impeller can be monitored and utilized in controlling the magnitude of the force applied to the shaft.

Abstract: Inline valve assembly having a body with an axial bore and guide slots extending in a direction perpendicular to the bore, a flexible tubular liner having an axially extending flow passageway with a generally cylindrical side wall disposed in and supported by the bore, throttling pins mounted in the guide slots in engagement with the side wall on opposite sides of the liner, and cam members rotatively mounted on the valve body for urging the pins together against the side wall to restrict flow through the passageway.

Abstract: Aseptic connector which has a body, an axially extending opening in the body, a seat surrounding the opening for receiving the connecting flange of a fitting, and a clamp for pressing the flange into the seat. The seat has a radially extending sealing surface with an annular outer portion and a conically inclined inner lip that extends inwardly and upwardly from the annular portion toward the opening.

Abstract: Manifold and probe assembly for use a bioprocessing vessel. The manifold has a chamber which communicates with the interior of the vessel and a plurality of ports which communicate with the chamber. Elongated sensing probes are threadedly connected to the ports with end portions of the probes extending into the chamber. Gaskets having generally annular bodies with conically inclined beveled faces are mounted on the end portions of the probes, with the beveled faces engaging conically inclined surfaces of seats in the ports and the gaskets being axially compressed and radially expanded into sealing engagement with the probes. The seating surfaces have inner and outer sections with different angles of inclination which produce greater radial expansion and tighter sealing with the probes.

Abstract: Manifold and probe assembly for use a bioprocessing vessel. The manifold has a chamber which communicates with the interior of the vessel and a plurality of ports which communicate with the chamber. Elongated sensing probes are threadedly connected to the ports with end portions of the probes extending into the chamber. Gaskets having generally annular bodies with conically inclined beveled faces are mounted on the end portions of the probes, with the beveled faces engaging conically inclined surfaces of seats in the ports and the gaskets being axially compressed and radially expanded into sealing engagement with the probes. The seating surfaces have inner and outer sections with different angles of inclination which produce greater radial expansion and tighter sealing with the probes.

Abstract: Aseptic connector which has a body, an axially extending opening in the body, a seat surrounding the opening for receiving the connecting flange of a fitting, and a clamp for pressing the flange into the seat.

Abstract: An aseptic valve construction including a valve body having an inlet flow passage and at least one outlet flow passage. The valve body has a valve seat surrounding the inlet flow passage and has an opening therein in alignment with the inlet flow passage and in communication with the inlet flow passage and with the at least one outlet flow passage. A shoulder providing a shoulder seat surrounding the opening is provided in the valve body. A diaphragm is disposed in the valve body and has a surface adapted to be moved into engagement with the valve seat and another surface in engagement with the shoulder seat. The diaphragm has a cylindrical portion extending between the surface engaging the valve seat and the surface engaging the shoulder seat. The cylindrical portion has a length and a constant inner diameter and a constant outer diameter along its length for preventing the cylindrical portion from buckling or wrinkling.

Abstract: In an aseptic valve construction, a valve body having an inlet flow passage and at least one outlet flow passage, said valve body having a valve seat surrounding the inlet flow passage, said body having an opening therein in alignment with the inlet passage and in communication with the inlet passage and with said at least one outlet passage, said body having a shoulder providing a shoulder seat surrounding said opening, an actuator sleeve adapted to be secured to said valve body, a shaft, means mounting said shaft in said sleeve to permit axial movement of said shaft in said sleeve, a diaphragm removably secured to said shaft, said diaphragm having a portion movable into engagement with the valve seat surrounding the inlet passage, diaphragm actuator means engaging said shaft for causing axial movement of said shaft for moving said diaphragm between open and closed positions with respect to said valve seat whereby in a closed position said diaphragm interrupts the flow of a liquid from the inlet passage thro