Methods and apparatus for processing fluids

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.

1 .- 17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . A fluid mixing system ( 10 ) comprising:
 (i) a cart ( 80 ) comprising:
 a frame ( 190 ); and 
 a plurality of wheels ( 196 ) mounted to the frame; 
   (ii) a docking station ( 12 ) comprising:
 a stand ( 218 ); 
 a locking assembly ( 244 ) secured to the stand, the locking assembly coupled to the cart so that the cart is releasably secured to the docking station; 
 a drive motor assembly ( 300 ) mounted to the stand; and 
   (iii) a container station ( 14 ) supported on the cart, the container station comprising:
 a collapsible bag ( 18 ) bounding a compartment, the collapsible bag being at least partially received within the container station; and 
   (iv) an elongated drive shaft ( 362 ) removably coupled with the drive motor assembly by an adjustable arm assembly ( 302 ) and removably coupled with a mixing element ( 64 ) located within the compartment of the collapsible bag, the drive motor assembly being configured to rotate the drive shaft.   
     
     
         19 . The mixing system of  claim 18 , wherein the arm assembly is configured to adjust a position of the drive motor assembly and thereby adjust a position of the drive shaft. 
     
     
         20 . The mixing system of  claim 18 , wherein the arm assembly comprises a first housing having a first support, and the first housing being rigidly secured to the stand. 
     
     
         21 . The mixing system of  claim 20 , wherein the first housing and the first support are orientated such that the first support can slide vertically up and down along a first axis. 
     
     
         22 . The mixing system of  claim 20 , wherein the first axis can extend orthogonally to a horizontal surface on which the docking station is disposed. 
     
     
         23 . The mixing system of  claim 22 , wherein the first housing and first support are disposed so that the first axis is disposed at an angle in a range between 0° to about 30° relative to the horizontal surface. 
     
     
         24 . The mixing system of  claim 22 , wherein the first support is configured to selectively lock the first housing at different locations along the first axis. 
     
     
         25 . The mixing system of  claim 22 , wherein the first support comprises a plurality of holes at spaced apart locations and a spring-activated pin mounted to the first housing. 
     
     
         26 . The mixing system of  claim 25 , wherein the first support is configured to be slidable along the first axis when the pin is pulled out of a corresponding hole in the first support. 
     
     
         27 . The mixing system of  claim 23 , wherein the first support is configured to be locked in place when the pin is received in a corresponding hole in the first support. 
     
     
         28 . The mixing system of  claim 20 , wherein the arm assembly further comprises a second housing having a second support, and the second housing being rigidly secured to the first support. 
     
     
         29 . The mixing system of  claim 28 , wherein the second housing and the second support are orientated such that the second support can slide vertically up and down along a second axis. 
     
     
         30 . The mixing system of  claim 29 , wherein the second axis is orthogonal to the first axis. 
     
     
         31 . The mixing system of  claim 28 , wherein the arm assembly further comprises a third support rotatably mounted to the second support. 
     
     
         32 . The mixing system of  claim 31 , wherein the third support is configured to rotate around a third axis, the third axis being disposed in a horizontal plane and or in a same plane as the second axis.