Patents by Inventor Steven R. Kjar

Steven R. Kjar 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).

  • Publication number: 20230093549
    Abstract: A method of mixing a fluid includes at least partially unfolding a collapsible bag bounding a compartment, the collapsible bag containing in the compartment at least a portion of an elongated drive line or drive shaft and an impeller secured to the drive line or drive shaft, the impeller including a plurality of impeller blades that are pivotable relative to the drive line or drive shaft, at least one of the plurality of impeller blades being in a collapsed position. A fluid is delivered into the compartment of the collapsible bag. The drive line or drive shaft is then rotated so as to rotate the impeller within the compartment and mix the fluid therein, the at least one of the plurality of impeller blades pivoting from the collapsed position to an expanded position as the impeller is rotated within the compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2022
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Inventors: Clinton C. Staheli, Brandon M. Knudsen, Trevor G. Williams, Steven R. Kjar
  • Patent number: 11242164
    Abstract: A method of dispensing fluid includes dispensing a first quantity of fluid so that fluid flows through a manifold port assembly and into a first container, the manifold port assembly includes a housing having an inlet port and a plurality of outlet ports formed thereon; and a carousel bounding a plurality of fluid paths that each extend between a first end and an opposing second end, the carousel being rotatably disposed within the housing so that when the first end of each one of the plurality of fluid paths is aligned with the inlet port on the housing, the second end of the corresponding one of the plurality of fluid paths is aligned with one of the plurality of outlet ports. A motor is activated to rotate the carousel of the manifold port assembly to a second position. A second quantity of fluid is dispensed so that fluid flows through the manifold port assembly and into a second container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: Life Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Steven R. Kjar
  • Publication number: 20210130014
    Abstract: A method of dispensing fluid includes dispensing a first quantity of fluid so that fluid flows through a manifold port assembly and into a first container, the manifold port assembly includes a housing having an inlet port and a plurality of outlet ports formed thereon; and a carousel bounding a plurality of fluid paths that each extend between a first end and an opposing second end, the carousel being rotatably disposed within the housing so that when the first end of each one of the plurality of fluid paths is aligned with the inlet port on the housing, the second end of the corresponding one of the plurality of fluid paths is aligned with one of the plurality of outlet ports. A motor is activated to rotate the carousel of the manifold port assembly to a second position. A second quantity of fluid is dispensed so that fluid flows through the manifold port assembly and into a second container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2021
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Inventor: Steven R. Kjar
  • Patent number: 10899480
    Abstract: A manifold port assembly includes a housing bounding a compartment and having an inlet port and a plurality of outlet ports formed thereon and communicating with the compartment. A carousel bounds a plurality of fluid paths that extend therethrough from a corresponding first end to an opposing corresponding second end, at least a portion of each fluid path being spaced apart from the housing and being radially enclosed by the carousel, the carousel being rotatably disposed within the compartment of the housing so that when the first end or the second end of each fluid path is aligned with the inlet port on the housing, the other of the first end or second end of each fluid path is aligned with a corresponding different one of each of the plurality of outlet ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Life Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Steven R. Kjar
  • Publication number: 20190283908
    Abstract: A manifold port assembly includes a housing bounding a compartment and having an inlet port and a plurality of outlet ports formed thereon and communicating with the compartment. A carousel bounds a plurality of fluid paths that extend therethrough from a corresponding first end to an opposing corresponding second end, at least a portion of each fluid path being spaced apart from the housing and being radially enclosed by the carousel, the carousel being rotatably disposed within the compartment of the housing so that when the first end or the second end of each fluid path is aligned with the inlet port on the housing, the other of the first end or second end of each fluid path is aligned with a corresponding different one of each of the plurality of outlet ports.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2019
    Publication date: September 19, 2019
    Inventor: Steven R. Kjar
  • Publication number: 20190209981
    Abstract: A fluid mixing system includes a container, such as a flexible bag, bounding a compartment. A flexible drive line is disposed within the compartment, the drive line having a first end rotatably connected to a first end of the container and an opposing second end rotatably connected to a second end of the container. At least one mixing element, such as an impeller, can be coupled with the flexible drive line. Rotation of the drive line facilitates rotation of the impeller within the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2019
    Publication date: July 11, 2019
    Inventors: Clinton C. Staheli, Brandon M. Knudsen, Trevor G. Williams, Steven R. Kjar
  • Patent number: 10329038
    Abstract: A fluid dispensing system includes a manifold port assembly having a housing with an inlet port and a plurality of outlet ports formed thereon and a carousel bounding a plurality of spaced apart fluid paths that each extend therethrough from a corresponding first end to an opposing corresponding second end, at least a portion of at least one of the fluid paths being completely radially encircled by the carousel at a spaced apart location from the housing. A fluid source is fluid coupled with the inlet port of the manifold port assembly. Each of a plurality of containers are fluid coupled with a select one of the outlet ports of the manifold port assembly. A motor is coupled with the carousel for rotating the carousel relative to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Life Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Steven R. Kjar
  • Patent number: 10302581
    Abstract: A foam sensor system includes a container bounding a compartment. A foam sensor assembly is mounted on the container and includes: a base being secured to the container; a foam contact being spaced apart from the base and disposed within the compartment of the container, at least a portion of the foam contact having a first diameter; and a transition member extending between the base and the foam contact with at least a portion of the transition member being openly exposed within the compartment of the container, at least a portion of the transition member having a second diameter that is smaller than the first diameter, the foam contact and transition member being connected together so that an electrical signal can pass therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: Life Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Steven R. Kjar, Jeffery O. Brown, Jason O. Brown, Christopher D. Brau
  • Patent number: 10272400
    Abstract: A fluid mixing system includes a container, such as a flexible bag, bounding a compartment. A flexible drive line is disposed within the compartment, the drive line having a first end rotatably connected to a first end of the container and an opposing second end rotatably connected to a second end of the container. At least one mixing element, such as an impeller, can be coupled with the flexible drive line. Rotation of the drive line facilitates rotation of the impeller within the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: LIFE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Clinton C. Staheli, Brandon M. Knudsen, Trevor G. Williams, Steven R. Kjar
  • Publication number: 20180071700
    Abstract: A fluid mixing system includes a container, such as a flexible bag, bounding a compartment. A flexible drive line is disposed within the compartment, the drive line having a first end rotatably connected to a first end of the container and an opposing second end rotatably connected to a second end of the container. At least one mixing element, such as an impeller, can be coupled with the flexible drive line. Rotation of the drive line facilitates rotation of the impeller within the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2017
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Inventors: Clinton C. Staheli, Brandon M. Knudsen, Trevor G. Williams, Steven R. Kjar
  • Patent number: 9839886
    Abstract: A fluid mixing system includes a container, such as a flexible bag, bounding a compartment. A flexible drive line is disposed within the compartment, the drive line having a first end rotatably connected to a first end of the container and an opposing second end rotatably connected to a second end of the container. At least one mixing element, such as an impeller, is coupled with the flexible drive line. Rotation of the drive line facilitates rotation of the impeller within the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: LIFE TEHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Clinton C. Staheli, Brandon M. Knudsen, Trevor G. Williams, Steven R. Kjar
  • Patent number: 9803695
    Abstract: A mixing system includes a housing having a motor mount rotatably coupled thereto, the motor mount having a passage extending therethrough. A drive shaft is removably positioned within the passage of the motor mount. A cap includes a main body removably coupled to the motor mount and an actuator coupled to the main body so as to be pivotable between a first position and a second position with respect to the main body. The actuator producing a camming action when the actuator is pivoted such that when the actuator is in the first position, the actuator pushes the drive shaft against the motor mount so that the main body is locked to the motor mount and so that rotation of the motor mount causes rotation of the drive shaft and when the actuator is in the second position, the actuator is disengaged from the drive shaft and the cap is removable from the motor mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Life Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Hayes, Jeffery Hurd, Steven R. Kjar, Whitt F. Woods
  • Patent number: 9719845
    Abstract: A method for locking out load cells includes dispensing a fluid into a collapsible bag that is supported within a support housing, the support housing resting on a plurality of load cells that sense the weight of the fluid; manipulating a plurality of lockouts located adjacent to corresponding load cells from a first position to a second position so that the lockouts remove at least a portion of the weight of the fluid from the plurality of load cells; moving the support housing containing the collapsible bag with the fluid therein to a new location; and further manipulating the plurality of lockouts from the second position back to the first position so that the plurality of load cells again sense the full weight of the fluid within the collapsible bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Life Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Steven R. Kjar, Whitt F. Woods, Paul T. Thacker
  • Publication number: 20170152469
    Abstract: A foam sensor system includes a container bounding a compartment. A foam sensor assembly is mounted on the container and includes: a base being secured to the container; a foam contact being spaced apart from the base and disposed within the compartment of the container, at least a portion of the foam contact having a first diameter; and a transition member extending between the base and the foam contact with at least a portion of the transition member being openly exposed within the compartment of the container, at least a portion of the transition member having a second diameter that is smaller than the first diameter, the foam contact and transition member being connected together so that an electrical signal can pass therethrough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2017
    Publication date: June 1, 2017
    Inventors: Steven R. Kjar, Jeffery O. Brown, Jason O. Brown, Christopher D. Brau
  • Patent number: 9606077
    Abstract: A foam sensor system includes a flexible bag comprised of a polymeric material and bounding a compartment. A foam sensor assembly is mounted on the flexible bag and includes a foam contact disposed within the compartment of the flexible bag. A ground assembly is mounted on the flexible bag and includes a ground contact disposed within the compartment of the flexible bag, the foam sensor assembly and the ground assembly being configured so that an electrical potential can be applied between the foam contact and the ground contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Life Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Steven R. Kjar, Jeffery O. Brown, Jason D. Brown, Christopher D. Brau
  • Publication number: 20170029144
    Abstract: A fluid dispensing system includes a manifold port assembly having a housing with an inlet port and a plurality of outlet ports formed thereon and a carousel bounding a plurality of spaced apart fluid paths that each extend therethrough from a corresponding first end to an opposing corresponding second end, at least a portion of at least one of the fluid paths being completely radially encircled by the carousel at a spaced apart location from the housing. A fluid source is fluid coupled with the inlet port of the manifold port assembly. Each of a plurality of containers are fluid coupled with a select one of the outlet ports of the manifold port assembly. A motor is coupled with the carousel for rotating the carousel relative to the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2016
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Inventor: Steven R. Kjar
  • Patent number: 9481477
    Abstract: A fluid manifold system includes a manifold port assembly having a housing with an inlet port and a plurality of outlet ports formed thereon and a carousel having a plurality of spaced apart fluid paths that extend therethrough from a first end to an opposing second end. The carousel is rotatably coupled with the housing so that when the first end of each fluid path is aligned with the inlet port on the housing, the second end of each fluid path is aligned with a corresponding different one of the plurality of outlet ports. A container is fluid coupled to each outlet port by a fluid line. The inlet port can be selectively coupled with a fluid source while a motor can control rotation of the carousel relative to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Life Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Steven R. Kjar
  • Publication number: 20160008776
    Abstract: A mixing system includes a housing having a motor mount rotatably coupled thereto, the motor mount having a passage extending therethrough. A drive shaft is removably positioned within the passage of the motor mount. A cap includes a main body removably coupled to the motor mount and an actuator coupled to the main body so as to be pivotable between a first position and a second position with respect to the main body. The actuator producing a camming action when the actuator is pivoted such that when the actuator is in the first position, the actuator pushes the drive shaft against the motor mount so that the main body is locked to the motor mount and so that rotation of the motor mount causes rotation of the drive shaft and when the actuator is in the second position, the actuator is disengaged from the drive shaft and the cap is removable from the motor mount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2014
    Publication date: January 14, 2016
    Inventors: Mark Hayes, Jeffery Hurd, Steven R. Kjar, Whitt F. Woods
  • Publication number: 20150300873
    Abstract: A method for locking out load cells includes dispensing a fluid into a collapsible bag that is supported within a support housing, the support housing resting on a plurality of load cells that sense the weight of the fluid; manipulating a plurality of lockouts located adjacent to corresponding load cells from a first position to a second position so that the lockouts remove at least a portion of the weight of the fluid from the plurality of load cells; moving the support housing containing the collapsible bag with the fluid therein to a new location; and further manipulating the plurality of lockouts from the second position back to the first position so that the plurality of load cells again sense the full weight of the fluid within the collapsible bag.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Inventors: Steven R. Kjar, Whitt F. Woods, Paul T. Thacker
  • Patent number: D1024319
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: LIFE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Scott T. Hanks, Steven R. Kjar