Patents by Inventor Chris Ballew
Chris 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).
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Patent number: 11958026Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 9, 2023Date of Patent: April 16, 2024Assignee: SaniSure, Inc.Inventors: Chris Ballew, Richard Shor, Matthew Markey, Joshua Rosen
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Patent number: 11913731Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 29, 2023Date of Patent: February 27, 2024Assignee: SaniSure, Inc.Inventors: Chris Ballew, Richard Shor, Matthew Markey, Joshua Rosen
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Publication number: 20240033698Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2023Publication date: February 1, 2024Inventors: Chris Ballew, Richard Shor, Matthew Markey, Joshua Rosen
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Publication number: 20230392879Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2023Publication date: December 7, 2023Inventors: Chris Ballew, Richard Shor, Matthew Markey, Joshua Rosen
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Publication number: 20230338944Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2023Publication date: October 26, 2023Inventor: Chris Ballew
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Publication number: 20230201821Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2023Publication date: June 29, 2023Inventor: Chris Ballew
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Patent number: 11596938Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 17, 2020Date of Patent: March 7, 2023Assignee: SANISURE, INC.Inventor: Chris Ballew
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Patent number: 11364475Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 7, 2019Date of Patent: June 21, 2022Assignee: SANI-TECH WEST, INC.Inventors: Richard J. Shor, Chris A. Ballew
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Publication number: 20210387176Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2021Publication date: December 16, 2021Inventors: Chris Ballew, Richard Shor
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Publication number: 20210362146Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 17, 2020Publication date: November 25, 2021Inventor: Chris Ballew
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Patent number: 11112188Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 8, 2021Date of Patent: September 7, 2021Assignee: SANI-TECH WEST, INC.Inventors: Chris Ballew, Richard Shor
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Patent number: 10843186Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 16, 2020Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: SANI-TECH WEST, INC.Inventors: Chris Ballew, Richard Shor
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Patent number: 10751713Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 21, 2020Date of Patent: August 25, 2020Assignee: SANI-TECH WEST, INC.Inventor: Chris Ballew
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Patent number: 10501720Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 6, 2019Date of Patent: December 10, 2019Assignee: SANI-TECH WEST, INC.Inventors: Richard J. Shor, Chris A. Ballew
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Publication number: 20190264165Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2019Publication date: August 29, 2019Inventors: Richard J. Shor, Chris A. Ballew
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Publication number: 20190232242Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2019Publication date: August 1, 2019Inventors: Richard J. Shor, Chris A. Ballew
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Patent number: 10265667Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 17, 2015Date of Patent: April 23, 2019Assignee: SANI-TECH WEST, INC.Inventors: Richard J. Shor, Chris A. Ballew
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Patent number: 10260036Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 16, 2015Date of Patent: April 16, 2019Assignee: SANI-TECH WEST, INC.Inventors: Richard J. Shor, Chris A. Ballew
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Publication number: 20160108356Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2015Publication date: April 21, 2016Applicant: SANI-TECH WEST, INC.Inventors: Richard J. Shor, Chris A. Ballew
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Publication number: 20150290606Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2015Publication date: October 15, 2015Inventors: Richard J. Shor, Chris A. Ballew