Patents by Inventor Chris A. Ballew

Chris A. Ballew has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11958026
    Abstract: A mixing system for use in a process bottle for mixing its contents, the mixing system including a low volume magnetically-driven mixer mounted at the bottom of the bottle. The mixer may have vanes and lower grooves, or no vanes and grooves on both upper and lower faces. The mixer has a “microsized” three-dimensional solid inanimate body to enable insertion through relatively small mouth openings at the top of conventional reactor bottles. Methods of assembly are also disclosed which involve passing the microsized mixer through an open mouth of a process bottle and coupling the mixer with a bearing assembly at the floor of the bottle. The bearing assembly includes fixtures sealed around a hole in the floor of the bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: SaniSure, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris Ballew, Richard Shor, Matthew Markey, Joshua Rosen
  • Patent number: 11913731
    Abstract: A process heat exchange rod for cooling or heating liquids in a process vessel. The rod may have a linear form and extend downward through an upper wall of the process vessel into proximity with the lower floor. The rod internally defines a circulatory flow path for the heat exchange medium, including an outer jacket and a flow diverter having a central through bore and external helical flutes. Heat exchange medium travels down through the central through bore and then back up through helical grooves formed between the flow diverter and the outer jacket, or vice versa. Accurate heating or cooling of the process fluid is attained by modification of the configuration of the heat exchange rod as well as the flow rate and temperature of the heat exchange medium. The components may be injection molded of a polymer, often transparent, having a high heat transfer coefficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: SaniSure, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris Ballew, Richard Shor, Matthew Markey, Joshua Rosen
  • Publication number: 20240033698
    Abstract: A mixing system for use in a process bottle for mixing its contents, the mixing system including a low volume magnetically-driven mixer mounted at the bottom of the bottle. The mixer may have vanes and lower grooves, or no vanes and grooves on both upper and lower faces. The mixer has a “microsized” three-dimensional solid inanimate body to enable insertion through relatively small mouth openings at the top of conventional reactor bottles. Methods of assembly are also disclosed which involve passing the microsized mixer through an open mouth of a process bottle and coupling the mixer with a bearing assembly at the floor of the bottle. The bearing assembly includes fixtures sealed around a hole in the floor of the bottle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: Chris Ballew, Richard Shor, Matthew Markey, Joshua Rosen
  • Publication number: 20230392879
    Abstract: A process heat exchange rod for cooling or heating liquids in a process vessel. The rod may have a linear form and extend downward through an upper wall of the process vessel into proximity with the lower floor. The rod internally defines a circulatory flow path for the heat exchange medium, including an outer jacket and a flow diverter having a central through bore and external helical flutes. Heat exchange medium travels down through the central through bore and then back up through helical grooves formed between the flow diverter and the outer jacket, or vice versa. Accurate heating or cooling of the process fluid is attained by modification of the configuration of the heat exchange rod as well as the flow rate and temperature of the heat exchange medium. The components may be injection molded of a polymer, often transparent, having a high heat transfer coefficient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2023
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventors: Chris Ballew, Richard Shor, Matthew Markey, Joshua Rosen
  • Publication number: 20230338944
    Abstract: There is disclosed a fluid distribution system for distributing fluid from a single source to a plurality of downstream receptacles. The system has a distribution manifold assembly with a single inlet and a plurality of outlets arrayed around a circumferential outer periphery. The outlets may be directed to the different receptacles which each have their own vent filter, or each receptacle connects back to the distribution manifold for common venting. The distribution manifold assembly may be formed by identical fluid and vent manifolds with cylindrical exteriors, or by identical fluid and vent manifolds surrounded by cylindrical frame members, to form a compact cylindrical combined assembly. Flexible conduits connect the manifold assembly to a plurality of receptacles, and a consumable subsystem of the manifold assembly, conduits and receptacle caps may be pre-assembled for ease of use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2023
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Inventor: Chris Ballew
  • Publication number: 20230201821
    Abstract: There is disclosed a fluid distribution system for distributing fluid from a single source to a plurality of downstream receptacles. The system has a distribution manifold with a single inlet and a plurality of outlets arrayed around a circumferential outer periphery. The outlets may be directed to the different receptacles which each have their own vent filter, or each receptacle connects back to the distribution manifold for common venting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2023
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Inventor: Chris Ballew
  • Patent number: 11596938
    Abstract: There is disclosed a fluid distribution system for distributing fluid from a single source to a plurality of downstream receptacles. The system has a distribution manifold with a single inlet and a plurality of outlets arrayed around a circumferential outer periphery. The outlets may be directed to the different receptacles which each have their own vent filter, or each receptacle connects back to the distribution manifold for common venting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: SANISURE, INC.
    Inventor: Chris Ballew
  • Patent number: 11364475
    Abstract: A mixing system typically for use in a container for mixing its contents, the mixing system including a cap unit, an extension unit and a magnetic mixing unit that is attached to the cap unit by the extension unit. The magnetic mixing unit can be folded to permit insertion and/or removal of the system via a mouth of the container. The extension unit and magnetic mixing unit connect via a hinge formed by upper and lower hinge portions that meet at a pivot point. The hinge portions extend from the pivot point along a first axis. The magnetic mixing unit includes a first magnetic elongate member that extends from the lower hinge portion along a second axis that is substantially perpendicular to the first axis, and a second magnetic elongate member that extends from the lower hinge portion along the second axis in the opposite direction relative to the first elongate member. The magnetic member(s) may be provided by a plastic coated magnetic stir bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: SANI-TECH WEST, INC.
    Inventors: Richard J. Shor, Chris A. Ballew
  • Publication number: 20210387176
    Abstract: A closed fluid receiving and sampling container that enables transfer of valuable reaction liquid to a receptacle without risking loss of sterility. The sampling container has a dip tube subassembly with a shorter inlet tube bent towards the wall of the receptacle to prevent or reduce foaming, and a longer outlet tube used to drain the waste liquid once the magnetic beads are trapped by the magnet. The dip tube subassembly is injection molded in one piece and provides a sealed cap also with a vent tube therethrough to enable filling and draining the receptacle without removing the cap, thus keeping the process aseptic. The sampling container is especially useful in the context of magnetic bead separation processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2021
    Publication date: December 16, 2021
    Inventors: Chris Ballew, Richard Shor
  • Publication number: 20210362146
    Abstract: There is disclosed a fluid distribution system for distributing fluid from a single source to a plurality of downstream receptacles. The system has a distribution manifold with a single inlet and a plurality of outlets arrayed around a circumferential outer periphery. The outlets may be directed to the different receptacles which each have their own vent filter, or each receptacle connects back to the distribution manifold for common venting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2020
    Publication date: November 25, 2021
    Inventor: Chris Ballew
  • Patent number: 11112188
    Abstract: A process heat exchange rod for cooling or heating liquids in a process vessel. The rod may have a linear form and extend downward through an upper wall of the process vessel into proximity with the lower floor. The rod internally defines a circulatory flow path for the heat exchange medium, including an outer jacket and a flow diverter having a central through bore and external helical flutes. Heat exchange medium travels down through the central through bore and then back up through helical grooves formed between the flow diverter and the outer jacket, or vice versa. Accurate heating or cooling of the process fluid is attained by modification of the configuration of the heat exchange rod as well as the flow rate and temperature of the heat exchange medium. The components may be injection molded of a polymer, often transparent, having a high heat transfer coefficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: SANI-TECH WEST, INC.
    Inventors: Chris Ballew, Richard Shor
  • Patent number: 10843186
    Abstract: A closed fluid receiving and sampling container that enables transfer of valuable reaction liquid to a receptacle without risking loss of sterility. The sampling container has a dip tube subassembly with a shorter inlet tube bent towards the wall of the receptacle to prevent or reduce foaming, and a longer outlet tube used to drain the waste liquid once the magnetic beads are trapped by the magnet. The dip tube subassembly is injection molded in one piece and provides a sealed lid also with a vent tube therethrough to enable filling and draining the receptacle without removing the lid, thus keeping the process aseptic. The sampling container is especially useful in the context of magnetic bead separation processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: SANI-TECH WEST, INC.
    Inventors: Chris Ballew, Richard Shor
  • Patent number: 10751713
    Abstract: There is disclosed a fluid distribution system for distributing fluid from a single source to a plurality of downstream receptacles. The system has a distribution manifold with a single inlet and a plurality of outlets arrayed around a circumferential outer periphery. The outlets may be directed to the different receptacles which each have their own vent filter, or each receptacle connects back to the distribution manifold for common venting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: SANI-TECH WEST, INC.
    Inventor: Chris Ballew
  • Patent number: 10501720
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: SANI-TECH WEST, INC.
    Inventors: Richard J. Shor, Chris A. Ballew
  • Publication number: 20190264165
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2019
    Publication date: August 29, 2019
    Inventors: Richard J. Shor, Chris A. Ballew
  • Publication number: 20190232242
    Abstract: A mixing system typically for use in a container for mixing its contents, the mixing system including a cap unit, an extension unit and a magnetic mixing unit that is attached to the cap unit by the extension unit. The magnetic mixing unit can be folded to permit insertion and/or removal of the system via a mouth of the container. The extension unit and magnetic mixing unit connect via a hinge formed by upper and lower hinge portions that meet at a pivot point. The hinge portions extend from the pivot point along a first axis. The magnetic mixing unit includes a first magnetic elongate member that extends from the lower hinge portion along a second axis that is substantially perpendicular to the first axis, and a second magnetic elongate member that extends from the lower hinge portion along the second axis in the opposite direction relative to the first elongate member. The magnetic member(s) may be provided by a plastic coated magnetic stir bar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2019
    Publication date: August 1, 2019
    Inventors: Richard J. Shor, Chris A. Ballew
  • Patent number: 10265667
    Abstract: A mixing system typically for use in a container for mixing its contents, the mixing system including a cap unit, an extension unit and a magnetic mixing unit that is attached to the cap unit by the extension unit. The magnetic mixing unit can be folded to permit insertion and/or removal of the system via a mouth of the container. The extension unit and magnetic mixing unit connect via a hinge formed by upper and lower hinge portions that meet at a pivot point. The hinge portions extend from the pivot point along a first axis. The magnetic mixing unit includes a first magnetic elongate member that extends from the lower hinge portion along a second axis that is substantially perpendicular to the first axis, and a second magnetic elongate member that extends from the lower hinge portion along the second axis in the opposite direction relative to the first elongate member. The magnetic member(s) may be provided by a plastic coated magnetic stir bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: SANI-TECH WEST, INC.
    Inventors: Richard J. Shor, Chris A. Ballew
  • Patent number: 10260036
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: SANI-TECH WEST, INC.
    Inventors: Richard J. Shor, Chris A. Ballew
  • Publication number: 20160108356
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Applicant: SANI-TECH WEST, INC.
    Inventors: Richard J. Shor, Chris A. Ballew
  • Publication number: 20150290606
    Abstract: A mixing system typically for use in a container for mixing its contents, the mixing system including a cap unit, an extension unit and a magnetic mixing unit that is attached to the cap unit by the extension unit. The magnetic mixing unit can be folded to permit insertion and/or removal of the system via a mouth of the container. The extension unit and magnetic mixing unit connect via a hinge formed by upper and lower hinge portions that meet at a pivot point. The hinge portions extend from the pivot point along a first axis. The magnetic mixing unit includes a first magnetic elongate member that extends from the lower hinge portion along a second axis that is substantially perpendicular to the first axis, and a second magnetic elongate member that extends from the lower hinge portion along the second axis in the opposite direction relative to the first elongate member. The magnetic member(s) may be provided by a plastic coated magnetic stir bar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Inventors: Richard J. Shor, Chris A. Ballew