Abstract: A method for processing a fluid includes removably securing a retention member to a vessel that bounds a chamber; inserting a collapsible bag within the chamber of the vessel; securing the bag to the retention member so that the bag is supported within the chamber of the vessel; and dispensing a fluid into a compartment of the collapsible bag supported within the chamber of the vessel. The fluid can be mixed within bag while the bag is disposed within the vessel.

Abstract: A method for processing a fluid includes removably securing a retention member to a vessel that bounds a chamber; inserting a collapsible bag within the chamber of the vessel; securing the bag to the retention member so that the bag is supported within the chamber of the vessel; and dispensing a fluid into a compartment of the collapsible bag supported within the chamber of the vessel. The fluid can be mixed within bag while the bag is disposed within the vessel.

Abstract: A method for mixing a fluid includes: dispensing a first volume of a fluid into a flexible container, the flexible container being at least partially disposed within the chamber of a support housing; repeatedly moving the support housing and the flexible container contained therein so as to mix the first volume of fluid within the flexible container; adding further fluid into the flexible container after moving the support housing to form a second volume of fluid; and manipulating a mixing element within the flexible container so as to mix the second volume of fluid.

Abstract: A method for mixing a fluid includes: dispensing a first volume of a fluid into a flexible container, the flexible container being at least partially disposed within the chamber of a support housing; repeatedly moving the support housing and the flexible container contained therein so as to mix the first volume of fluid within the flexible container; adding further fluid into the flexible container after moving the support housing to form a second volume of fluid; and manipulating a mixing element within the flexible container so as to mix the second volume of fluid.

Abstract: A method for processing a fluid includes removably securing a retention member to a vessel that bounds a chamber; inserting a collapsible bag within the chamber of the vessel; securing the bag to the retention member so that the bag is supported within the chamber of the vessel; and dispensing a fluid into a compartment of the collapsible bag supported within the chamber of the vessel. The fluid can be mixed within bag while the bag is disposed within the vessel.

Abstract: A method for processing a fluid includes removably securing a retention member to a vessel that bounds a chamber; inserting a collapsible bag within the chamber of the vessel; securing the bag to the retention member so that the bag is supported within the chamber of the vessel; and dispensing a fluid into a compartment of the collapsible bag supported within the chamber of the vessel. The fluid can be mixed within bag while the bag is disposed within the vessel.

Abstract: A fluid heating system includes a tank assembly having an interior surface bounding a chamber, the tank assembly including a sidewall encircling the chamber and extending between a first end and an opposing second end, the first end bounding an opening to the chamber, and a lid movable between a first position wherein the opening to the chamber is exposed and a second position wherein the lid is disposed over the opening. A collapsible bag is removably disposed within the chamber of the tank assembly, the collapsible bag bounding a compartment adapted to hold a fluid. A mechanism is provided for controlling the temperature of fluid within the collapsible bag when the collapsible bag is positioned within chamber of the tank assembly.

Abstract: A method for mixing a fluid includes: dispensing a first volume of a fluid into a flexible container, the flexible container being at least partially disposed within the chamber of a support housing; repeatedly moving the support housing and the flexible container contained therein so as to mix the first volume of fluid within the flexible container; adding further fluid into the flexible container after moving the support housing to form a second volume of fluid; and manipulating a mixing element within the flexible container so as to mix the second volume of fluid.

Abstract: A fluid mixing system that can be used as a bioreactor or fermentor can include a stand and a support housing pivotably mounted to the stand. The support housing bounds a chamber into which a container assembly is removably disposed. The container assembly includes a flexible bag bounding a compartment adapted to hold a fluid and a mixing element disposed within the compartment. The support housing can be tilted relative to the stand for ease in insertion of the container assembly. The support housing can also be repeatedly rocked relative to the stand form mixing fluid within the container assembly.

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.

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.

Abstract: A fluid heating system includes a tank assembly having an interior surface bounding a chamber, the tank assembly including a sidewall encircling the chamber and extending between a first end and an opposing second end, the first end bounding an opening to the chamber, and a lid movable between a first position wherein the opening to the chamber is exposed and a second position wherein the lid is disposed over the opening. A collapsible bag is removably disposed within the chamber of the tank assembly, the collapsible bag bounding a compartment adapted to hold a fluid. A mechanism is provided for controlling the temperature of fluid within the collapsible bag when the collapsible bag is positioned within chamber of the tank assembly.

Abstract: A method for mixing includes releasably coupling a first container station to a docking station, the first container station having a shipping vessel bounding a compartment, the docking station having a stand and a drive motor assembly adjustably mounted to the stand. The vertical or horizontal position of the drive motor assembly is adjusted relative to the stand so that the drive motor assembly is in a first position. A drive shaft is advanced through the drive motor assembly and into a chamber of a first collapsible bag disposed within the compartment of the shipping vessel. The drive motor assembly is activated so that the mixer rotates the drive shaft causing mixing of the fluid within the first collapsible bag.

Abstract: A fluid heating system includes a tank assembly having an interior surface bounding a chamber, the tank assembly having: a sidewall encircling the chamber and extending between a first end and an opposing second end, the first end bounding an opening to the chamber; and a lid movable between a first position wherein the opening to the chamber is exposed and a second position wherein the lid is disposed over the opening. A collapsible bag is removably disposed within the chamber of the tank assembly, the collapsible bag bounding a compartment adapted to hold a fluid. Systems are provided for controlling the temperature of fluid within the collapsible bag when the collapsible bag is positioned within chamber of the tank assembly. A mixing element is disposed within the compartment of the collapsible bag.

Abstract: A method for processing a fluid includes removably securing a retention member to a vessel that bounds a chamber; inserting a collapsible bag within the chamber of the vessel; securing the bag to the retention member so that the bag is supported within the chamber of the vessel; and dispensing a fluid into a compartment of the collapsible bag supported within the chamber of the vessel. The fluid can be mixed within bag while the bag is disposed within the vessel.

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.

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.

Abstract: A fluid heating system includes a tank assembly having an interior surface bounding a chamber, the tank assembly having: a sidewall encircling the chamber and extending between a first end and an opposing second end, the first end bounding an opening to the chamber; and a lid movable between a first position wherein the opening to the chamber is exposed and a second position wherein the lid is disposed over the opening. A collapsible bag is removably disposed within the chamber of the tank assembly, the collapsible bag bounding a compartment adapted to hold a fluid. Systems are provided for controlling the temperature of fluid within the collapsible bag when the collapsible bag is positioned within chamber of the tank assembly. A mixing element is disposed within the compartment of the collapsible bag.

Abstract: A fluid mixing system that can be used as a bioreactor or fermentor can include a stand and a support housing pivotably mounted to the stand. The support housing bounds a chamber into which a container assembly is removably disposed. The container assembly includes a flexible bag bounding a compartment adapted to hold a fluid and a mixing element disposed within the compartment. The support housing can be tilted relative to the stand for ease in insertion of the container assembly. The support housing can also be repeatedly rocked relative to the stand form mixing fluid within the container assembly.

Abstract: A method for inactivating a fluid culture includes inserting a collapsible bag within a chamber of a tank assembly. A fluid is dispensed into a compartment of the collapsible bag, the fluid including a culture containing live cells or microorganisms. A lid is positioned over an opening of the tank assembly so that the collapsible bag is substantially enclosed within the tank assembly. The fluid within the collapsible bag is heated to an inactivation temperature that is sufficiently high to kill all of the live cells or microorganisms within the fluid. In one embodiment, the fluid within the flexible bag is mixed while the fluid is being heated to the inactivation temperature.