Holding device for container having magnetic drive for separate stirring shaft

Abstract

The invention relates to a holding device (26) for a container, in particular a bioreactor, comprising a magnetic drive (30) for a separate stirring shaft (28) and a lever device (10) for disconnecting the stirring shaft (28) from the magnetic drive (30). The magnetic drive device (30) has a first coupling side (32) of the magnetic coupling device, and the stirring shaft (28) has a second coupling side (34) of the magnetic coupling device, which can be connected to the first coupling side (32). The lever device (10) has at least one pressing section (22; 64) and is pivotable between a closed position and a disengaged position. When the lever device (10) is pivoted into the disengaged position, the pressing section (22; 64) in order to act directly or indirectly on the stirring shaft (28).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a holding device for a container, in particular a bioreactor, which holding device has a magnetic drive for a separate stirring shaft. Background Art

[0002] Disposable bioreactors formed by flexible bags and whose contents are to be mixed by means of a stirrer with a rotatable stirring shaft are typically accommodated in a stable holding device, in which a drive for the stirring shaft is also provided. The transmission of force between the drive arranged outside the bioreactor and the stirring shaft arranged inside the bioreactor can be realized in a known manner by a magnetic coupling device. In order to close the coupling device, i.e., to magnetically attach the stirring shaft to the magnetic drive device, the stirring shaft must be manually lifted and positioned below the magnet of the driving device with a sufficiently small spacing. In order to subsequently disengage the coupling device, the stirring shaft is manually pushed downward. The process is usually carried out uncontrolled, and due to the strong magnetic force, the operation is sometimes very difficult. Summary of the invention

[0003] The object of the invention is to enable controlled and reliable decoupling of a magnetic coupling, by means of which a stirrer shaft is coupled to a magnetic drive.

[0004] This object is achieved by a holding device having the features of claim 1. Advantageous and expedient embodiments of the holding device according to the invention are described in the dependent claims.

[0005] The holding device for a container, in particular a bioreactor, according to the present invention comprises a magnetic drive for a separate stirring shaft and a lever device for disconnecting the stirring shaft from the magnetic drive. The magnetic drive has a first coupling side of the magnetic coupling, and the stirring shaft has a second coupling side of the magnetic coupling that can be connected to the first coupling side. The lever device has at least one pressing section and can be pivoted between a closed position and a disengaged position. When the lever device is pivoted to the disengaged position, the pressing section moves downward so as to act directly or indirectly on the stirring shaft.

[0006] The invention is based on the recognition that, in bioreactors with a stirrer shaft, the magnetic attraction of a closed magnetic coupling between a magnetic drive and the stirrer shaft can be very large, but it also decreases very strongly with increasing distance. Normally, the magnetic force of the magnetic coupling depends on the required torque and increases with the size of the bioreactor and the preset maximum speed. Typically, the force is between 50N and 600N. For a single operator, it is laborious to overcome forces of this magnitude in a controlled manner, especially manually acting on the stirrer shaft.

[0007] By means of the lever arrangement of the holding device according to the invention, the forces to be overcome can be significantly reduced due to the lever action. Since the magnetic force decreases strongly with distance - in a rough approximation, the magnetic force is approximately inversely proportional to the square of the distance - the lever arrangement only has to ensure that a spacing of a few centimeters is formed between the magnetic drive and the stirrer shaft. The magnetic force is then already very weak, so that the operator can easily hold and remove the bioreactor. At the same time, the lever arrangement allows a significantly simplified operation, since the operator does not have to pull the stirrer shaft, but can simply press down on the lever.

[0008] Not only the removal of the stirring shaft, but also the mounting of the stirring shaft on the magnetic drive can be performed more simply and in a more controlled manner by means of the lever arrangement of the holding device according to the invention. The lever arrangement can be used to prevent premature closing of the magnetic coupling during the positioning of the stirring shaft under the magnetic drive, wherein the correct positioning has not yet been achieved or the operator's hands could be squeezed. This means that the operator can correctly position the stirring shaft in a stationary state without the stirring shaft approaching the magnetic drive so that magnetic forces could interfere with the operation and in particular the positioning.

[0009] Due to the lever arrangement, both the installation and removal of the stirrer shaft from the magnetic drive can be carried out by a single operator, with the risk of possible injuries to the operator or damage to the bioreactor being largely excluded.

[0010] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the lever device has an adapter plate, which has a lever pivotably mounted thereon and a central opening, which is opposite the first coupling side and through which the second coupling side of the agitator shaft projects in the mounted state of the agitator shaft. The design of the adapter plate, which can be stably mounted in the holding device, can be adapted to the structural conditions of the holding device, in particular the magnetic drive, and serves as a bearing for the pivotable lever of the lever device.

[0011] Preferably, the lever device is releasably fastened to the holding device by means of at least one fastening section. For example, a special fastening section adapted to the structural conditions can be provided, by means of which the lever device can be installed and removed again. The releasable fastening allows the lever device to be used also on other holding devices.

[0012] The use of a plurality of distributed pressure sections allows the force generated by the lever movement to be distributed evenly to the upper end of the agitator shaft, so that the agitator shaft cannot be disconnected from the magnetic drive without being accompanied by an uncontrolled tilting movement.

[0013] The force introduced by the pivoting movement of the lever should act as efficiently as possible on the agitator shaft so that the agitator shaft is slightly decoupled from the magnetic drive. In a preferred embodiment of the lever device, it is provided that at least one pressing section is formed by a linearly guided displacement element, which moves vertically downward when the lever device is pivoted into the decoupled position. This ensures that the introduced force acts precisely in the direction of decoupling the agitator shaft from the magnetic drive.

[0014] The conversion of the pivoting movement of the lever into a linear movement of the at least one displacement element can be achieved in that the displacement element is rotatably mounted on a pivoting section of the lever arrangement and is guided in a recess of the adapter plate.

[0015] In order to increase the safety during operation of the agitator shaft coupled to the magnetic drive, according to a further development of the invention, the lever device has an activatable and deactivatable locking mechanism. When the locking mechanism is activated, the lever device is fixed in the closed position, whereas when the locking mechanism is deactivated, the lever device can be pivoted between the closed position and the disengaged position. Thus, the activation of the locking mechanism after the agitator shaft has been coupled ensures that the lever device cannot be undesirably pivoted into the disengaged position during operation.

[0016] Furthermore, the lever device may also have an activatable and deactivatable disengaged position-stop mechanism, which in an activated state fixes the lever device in a disengaged position and, conversely, in a deactivated state allows the lever device to pivot between a disengaged position and a closed position.

[0017] According to a particular aspect of the invention, the lever device can be supplemented by a separate clamp. The clamp is shaped so that it can be placed on the flange of the stirring shaft. As a result, the stirring shaft can be operated more easily. In addition, the clamp has at least one back-pressure section with a back-pressure surface, which points upward in the installed state of the stirring shaft and engages with the pressing section when the lever device is pivoted into the disengaged position. Force is introduced via one or more back-pressure surfaces of the clamp to prevent the upper end of the stirring shaft from directly contacting one or more pressing sections of the lever device, so that the container, in particular a flexible bioreactor bag, will not be damaged (unintentionally) when removed. In addition, the clamp can be used to bridge the distance between the lever device and the container and provide a flat surface at the connection geometry.

[0018] The clamp preferably has a circular or partially circular receiving section with an inner diameter that corresponds approximately to the outer diameter of the first coupling side of the magnetic drive. Due to the coordination of the diameters, the clamp can be positioned with the stirring shaft below the magnetic drive in a simple manner so that the two coupling sides are exactly opposite each other. The receiving section then surrounds the first coupling side of the magnetic drive that protrudes downward. As a result, the movement of the stirring shaft caused by the magnetic force is guided toward the magnetic drive and the hand or fingers of the operator cannot accidentally reach between the two coupling sides.

[0019] Particularly comfortable handling allows the design of the clamp with at least one gripping section, at which the operator can easily hold the clamp.

[0020] In the case of very large containers, the handling can be simplified by a transport device for lifting and transporting the container, as is known in principle, for example, from DE 10 2013 002 091 B3. The gripper can be part of such a transport device, so that the operator does not have to hold and transport the container himself before installation or after removal.

[0021] Preferably, the holder can be attached to the stirrer shaft in a detachable manner, so that after the stirrer shaft has been coupled, the holder can be removed again and can be used elsewhere if necessary.

[0022] At least a portion (specific components) of the lever device of the holding device according to the invention can be manufactured by means of an additive manufacturing method. In particular, the components of the lever device and, if necessary, other components of the holding device can be manufactured by means of selective laser sintering (SLS) from a powdered raw material, such as polyamide. In general, manufacturing by means of additive manufacturing methods has the advantage that material losses and installation costs are smaller in comparison with classical manufacturing methods with regard to the design of the internal geometry. This is particularly important for embodiments in which complex or otherwise only difficultly realizable geometries are provided, such as recesses or slot geometries for slot wedges. Another advantage is that additive manufacturing methods offer the possibility of realizing large radii, in order to, for example, protect flexible bioreactor bags from damage due to edges.

[0023] In certain cases, it may be difficult for the operator to manually operate the lever device, for example when the container is very large and the grip of the lever device cannot be easily touched. Therefore, a special embodiment of the invention provides an operating device coupled to the lever device for remotely operating the lever device. This means that the lever device can be pivoted between the closed position and the disengaged position and / or between the disengaged position and the closed position by means of the operating device.

[0024] The invention also provides a device with a holding device as defined above and a container, in particular a bioreactor, with a stirring shaft arranged inside the container, the stirring shaft having a second coupling side (matching the first coupling side of the magnetic drive) at its upper end. The stirring shaft is mounted on the magnetic drive of the holding device by closing the magnetic coupling, so that the magnetic drive can set the stirring shaft into a rotational movement. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Other features and advantages of the present invention are apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings to which reference is made. In the accompanying drawings:

[0026] - Figure 1a A perspective view showing a lever arrangement for a bioreactor holding device according to the invention in a first variant of the first embodiment in an upper closed position;

[0027] - Figure 1b Show Figure 1a A perspective view of the lever device in the disengaged position;

[0028] - Figure 2 Show Figure 1a A front view of the lever device in the disengaged position;

[0029] - Figure 3a A perspective view showing a lever arrangement for a bioreactor holding device according to the invention in a second variant of the first embodiment in an upper closed position;

[0030] - Figure 3b Show Figure 2 A perspective view of the lever device in a in a fixed disengaged position;

[0031] - Figure 4 A perspective view of a bioreactor holding device according to the invention according to a first embodiment is shown, which has a magnetic drive, a stirring shaft coupled to the magnetic drive, and a lever arrangement in an upper closed position;

[0032] - Figure 5 Show Figure 4 A front view of the holding device in FIG.

[0033] - Figure 6 Show Figure 4 A three-dimensional view of the holding device in the embodiment of the present invention when the magnetic coupling device is disengaged;

[0034] - Figure 7 Show Figure 4 A front view of the retaining device in the embodiment of the present invention when the magnetic coupling device is disengaged;

[0035] - Figure 8 Shown with the fixture removed Figure 4 A stereoscopic view of a holding device in FIG.

[0036] - Fig. 9 A perspective view of a lever arrangement for a bioreactor holding device according to the invention according to a first variant of a second embodiment is shown;

[0037] - Fig.10 Show Fig. 9 Another stereoscopic view of the lever device in FIG.

[0038] - Fig.11 A perspective view showing a lever arrangement for a bioreactor holding device according to the invention according to a second variant of the second embodiment;

[0039] - Fig.12 Show Fig.11 Another stereoscopic view of the lever device in FIG.

[0040] - Fig.13 A perspective view showing a portion of a lever device according to a second embodiment;

[0041] - Fig.14 A perspective view showing an adapter plate of a lever device according to a second embodiment;

[0042] - Fig.15 A perspective view showing a pressing ring of a lever device according to a second embodiment;

[0043] - Fig.16 A perspective view showing one of the slot wedges of the lever device according to the second embodiment;

[0044] - Fig.17 A perspective view showing a locking ring of a lever device according to a second embodiment;

[0045] - Fig.18 A perspective view showing a support ring of a lever device according to a second embodiment;

[0046] - Fig.19 A perspective view showing a lever (without grip) according to a first variant of the second embodiment and a lever according to a second variant of the second embodiment;

[0047] - Fig. 20 A perspective view showing a gripping member of a lever device according to a second variant of the second embodiment;

[0048] - Fig.21 A perspective view showing a connecting element of a lever arrangement according to a second embodiment;

[0049] - Fig. 22 A perspective view showing one of the screw-matching surfaces of the lever device according to the second embodiment;

[0050] - Fig.23 A perspective view showing an adapter plate-counterpart of a lever device according to a second embodiment;

[0051] - Fig.24 a perspective sectional view showing a detail of the lever arrangement with the locked adapter plate counterpart according to the second embodiment in the upper closed position; and

[0052] - Fig.25 A perspective view of a transport device for lifting and transporting containers, in particular bioreactors, with grippers is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0053] exist Figure 1a , Figure 1b and Figure 2 1 and 10. A first variant of a first embodiment of the lever device 10 is shown separately in each case, which is used in the upper closed position ( Figure 1a ) and in the disengaged position ( Figure 1b and Figure 2 ) to decouple the stirring shaft from the magnetic drive. The lever device 10 comprises an adapter plate 12 having a central opening 14 through which the upper end of the stirring shaft can protrude.

[0054] The adapter plate 12 has a fastening section 16, by means of which the adapter plate 12 can be fastened to a holding device for a container, in this case a disposable bioreactor. In the illustrated embodiment, the fastening section 16 is formed by a screwable clamping jaw which provides a mating surface for mounting on the holding device.

[0055] The lever 18 is pivotably mounted on the adapter plate 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the lever 18 is formed by two pivot sections 20, the front ends of which are connected to one another via grips 21. The rear ends of the pivot sections 20 are rotatably mounted on the rear end of the adapter plate 12 on its side.

[0056] The lever 18 further comprises a pressing section 22 which moves downward when the lever 18 is actuated. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the pressing section 22 is formed by two sliding elements which are guided in a recess of the adapter plate 12. The pressing section 22 is rotatably mounted on the pivot section 20 so that when the lever 18 is pivoted, the pressing section 22 moves linearly and vertically downward due to the guidance in the recess of the adapter plate 12 and thereby comes out of the adapter plate 12, as in Figure 1b and Figure 2 Visible in.

[0057] In addition, the lever device 10 has a closed position-stop mechanism. When the closed position-stop mechanism is activated, the lever 18 is in Figure 1a The upper closed position shown is blocked, ie the lever 18 is pivoted to Figure 1b and Figure 2 This is not possible in the disengaged position shown. If the closed position-stop mechanism is deactivated, the lever 18 can be moved back and forth between the disengaged position and the upper closed position.

[0058] The disengagement position can be predefined in particular by means of a stop or the like which delimits the range of the pivoting movement at the bottom.

[0059] The lever device 10 can also be fixed in the disengaged position (lower closed position). Figure 1b and Figure 2 Blocked in the shown disengagement position, so that lever 18 can not be pivoted upwards.Certainly, the disengagement position-stop mechanism can also be manually deactivated again, so as to realize the pivoting of lever 18 between the disengagement position and the upper closed position.

[0060] With the help of Figure 2 a and Figure 2 The second variant of the lever arrangement 10 shown in FIG. 1 b briefly explains a specific embodiment of the closed position locking mechanism and the released position locking mechanism, which is nevertheless to be understood only as an example.

[0061] The locking pin 24 a , which can be fixed in two positions, is connected to an axially displaceable locking bolt 24 b in or on the adapter plate 12 , which in turn can interact with two holes 25 a , 25 b in the pivot section of the lever 18 .

[0062] In order to fix the lever in the upper closed position, the locking pin 24a is moved to the left by the operator (according to the illustration in the drawing) so that the locking bolt 24b passes through the lower hole 25b flush therewith and prevents a pivoting movement of the lever 18. By turning the locking bolt 24b downward about its longitudinal axis, the locking bolt 24b is fixed in the position and the closed position locking mechanism is activated.

[0063] Lever 18 can also be fixed when it is in the disengagement position of the bottom. For this reason, the stop bolt 24b is moved by the operator through the upper hole 25a flush with it in the position by means of the stop pin 24a and fixed by rotating downwards, whereby the disengagement position-stop mechanism is activated.

[0064] According to the following Figures 4 to 8The use of the lever device 10 in a holding apparatus 26 for a disposable bioreactor, both of which are components of a bioreactor system, is described.

[0065] In the holding device 26, the bioreactor (not shown separately in the drawing) together with the stirring shaft 28 arranged therein should be installed so that the magnetic drive 30 of the holding device 26 can magnetically set the stirring shaft 28 in a rotational motion without there being a direct mechanical connection between the drive 30 and the stirring shaft 28. The bioreactor is installed in the holding device 26 by means of a magnetic coupling. The magnetic drive 30 has a circular, downwardly protruding magnetic first coupling side 32. A second coupling side 34 pointing upwardly matching thereto is formed at the upper end of the stirring shaft 28.

[0066] The lever device 10 is fastened to the holding device 26 by means of the fastening section 16, so that the opening 14 in the adapter plate 12 is opposite the first coupling side 32 of the drive device 30, whereby the first coupling side 32 is accessible from below. The lever device 10 is preferably fastened detachably, so that it can be removed from the holding device 26 and fastened to another holding device.

[0067] In order to install the bioreactor with the stirring shaft 28 in the holding device 26, the magnetic coupling between the magnetic drive 30 and the stirring shaft 28 must be closed. For this purpose, the stirring shaft 28 is guided to the magnetic drive 30 in the bioreactor so that the two coupling sides 32, 34 are opposite each other.

[0068] For better handling and to simplify the positioning of the bioreactor with the stirring shaft 28, a clamp 36 can be used. The clamp 36 has a receiving section 38, a counterpressure section with an upwardly directed counterpressure surface 40, and a laterally outwardly protruding grip section 42. The receiving section 38 of the clamp 36 is approximately semicircular and can be received by a flange at the upper end of the stirring shaft 28, so that the clamp 36 is stably but detachably placed on the stirring shaft 28. The grip section 42 then allows the operator to hold and position the entire bioreactor by means of the stirring shaft 28.

[0069] Furthermore, the receiving section 38 of the clamp 36 is adapted to the downwardly protruding first coupling side 32 of the magnetic drive 30 . More precisely, the inner diameter of the receiving section 38 corresponds approximately to the outer diameter of the first coupling side 32 of the magnetic drive 30 .

[0070] When the clamp 36 is used, the bioreactor is installed in the holding device 26 as follows: the operator presses the lever 18 of the lever device 10 downward until the lever 18 is in the disengaged position and activates the disengaged position-stop mechanism, whereby the lever 18 is automatically and reliably fixed in the position. (Even without such a disengaged position-stop mechanism, the lever 18 remains in the disengaged position after overcoming the magnetic holding force, but may be pressed upward again unintentionally.) While the lever device 10 is in the disengaged position, the operator positions the bioreactor under the magnetic drive device 30 with the aid of the clamp 36 so that the two coupling sides 32, 34 are opposite. The downwardly protruding pressing section 22 of the lever device 10 holds the upper end of the stirring shaft 28 at a distance and prevents the magnetic coupling device from closing prematurely. Here, the pressing section of the lever device 10 presses against the counterpressure surface 40 of the clamp 36.

[0071] After the operator has positioned the receiving section 38 of the clamp 36 around the downwardly protruding first coupling side 32 of the magnetic drive 30, he first disengages the disengaged position-locking mechanism. The disengaged position-locking mechanism then pivots the lever 18 of the lever device 10 upward into the upper closed position, so that the pressing section 22 moves upward and no longer protrudes from the adapter plate 12. Attracted by the magnetic force of the first coupling side 32, the upper end of the stirring shaft 28 moves upward until the magnetic coupling is closed (see Figure 4 and Figure 5 The movement is guided due to the interaction of the receiving section 38 of the clamp 36 with the protruding first coupling side 32 .

[0072] After the bioreactor has been installed in the holding device 26, the clamp 36 can be removed from the stirring shaft 28 (see Figure 8 ).

[0073] If the installation is carried out without the clamp 36 , the operator must position the stirring shaft 28 manually in a conventional manner below the magnetic drive 30 . In this case, the pressure section 22 of the lever device 10 interacts directly with the upwardly directed counterpressure surface of the stirring shaft 28 .

[0074] Before the stirring shaft 28 starts to operate, the operator activates the closed position locking mechanism by means of the locking pin 24a, so that during operation there is no risk that the stirring shaft 28 and thus the entire bioreactor may be accidentally detached from the holding device 26 due to inadvertent pressing of the lever 18 of the lever device 10.

[0075] The removal of the bioreactor from the holding device 26 is carried out in the reverse order of the above steps. If a clamp 36 is used, the clamp 36 is placed on the flange of the stirring shaft 28. Before the lever 18 can be pressed downward from the upper closed position to disengage the magnetic coupling device, the closed position-stop mechanism must be deactivated by means of the stop pin 24a. By pressing the lever 18 downward into the disengaged position, the pressing section 22 engages with the counterpressure surface 40 of the clamp 36 to distribute the introduced force; in addition, the stirring shaft 28 is protected by avoiding direct contact with the pressing section 22. The stirring shaft 28 is pressed downward in the manner described until the magnetic attraction is overcome to the greatest extent and the magnetic coupling device is disengaged. The movement of the stirring shaft 28 is guided at least at the beginning. During the process, the operator can fix the bioreactor with the help of the clamp 36 so that the bioreactor does not fall down uncontrolled.

[0076] When the clamp 36 is not used, the pressing section 22 of the lever device 10 presses directly onto the counterpressure surface of the stirring shaft 28. When the magnetic coupling device is released, the operator secures the bioreactor in the usual manner.

[0077] exist Fig. 9 and Fig.10 or Fig.11 and Fig.12 1 and 2 show a first and a second variant of an alternative second embodiment of the lever device 10. Apart from the fact that the first variant does not have a closed position locking mechanism, the two variants differ only by the design of the lever 18, which is implemented in one piece in the first variant and in two pieces in the second variant (see Fig.19 and Fig. 20 The other main components of the lever device 10 that are substantially the same in the two variants of the second embodiment are together Fig.13 (without lever 18) and in Figures 14 to 18 as well as Figure 21 to Figure 24 are shown separately in .

[0078] The same reference numerals are used for the components known from the first embodiment described above, and reference is made to the above explanations in this regard. Only the differences in the construction of the lever device 10 compared to the first embodiment are described below. The function and operation of the lever device 10 are essentially the same.

[0079] In this case, the adapter plate 12 of the lever device 10 (see Fig.14 ) is designed so that the adapter plate can accommodate a pressing ring 44 fastened to the bioreactor or stirring shaft 28 (see Fig.15). The adapter plate 12 and the pressure ring 46 each have a guide tube 46 and a groove geometry 48 for this purpose, which are coordinated with one another. The guide tube 46 and the groove geometry 48 prevent tilting or skewing when the magnetic coupling is closed or released. In particular, this ensures that when pressing on the upper flange of the stirring shaft 28, the force for releasing the magnetic coupling is introduced evenly.

[0080] In order to reinforce the connection between the pressing ring 46 fastened to the bioreactor or agitator shaft 28 and the adapter plate 12 of the lever device 10 mounted on the holding device 26 during the operation process, a plurality of slot wedges 50 are provided (see Fig.16 ), the slot wedge can be pushed radially from the outside to the inside into the corresponding recess 52 of the pressure ring 46. The slot wedge 50 has a clamping surface 54 and a driver pin 56, which protrudes axially when the slot wedge 50 is pushed into the recess 52. The slot wedge 50 is moved inward so that the clamping effect at the clamping surface 54 is large enough to ensure a reliable connection.

[0081] By means of the locking ring 58 (see Fig.17 ) is used to push in and lock the slot wedge 50, which has a guide rail 60 that matches the position and shape of the driver pin 56, similar to the case of a bayonet connection. The connection is reinforced by placing and rotating the locking ring 58, wherein an adjustable torque limiter (not shown) can optionally be provided.

[0082] The adapter plate 12 , the pressure ring 44 , the slot wedge 50 and the locking ring 58 replace a triple clamp connection, wherein manual operation is simplified in particular by the specially contoured gripping surface 62 of the locking ring 58 .

[0083] Support ring 64 (see Fig.18 ) is placed on the pressing ring 44, and when the magnetic coupling device is disengaged, the support ring is pressed downward and transmits the force required to overcome the magnetic force to the pressing ring 44 and thus to the stirring shaft 18. This means that the support ring 64 corresponds functionally to the pressing section 22 of the first embodiment. In addition, the support ring 64 is used to fix the locking ring 58.

[0084] exist Fig.19 1 shows the pivot section 20 of the lever device 10, which is rotatably supported on the adapter plate 12. Fig.21 The connecting element 66 between the lever 18 and the pressing ring 44 is shown separately in the figure, and the downward pivoting movement of the lever 18 is converted into a downward linear movement of the supporting ring 64 and the pressing ring 44.

[0085] According to a second variant of the second embodiment, Fig. 20 The gripping element 68 shown in FIG. 1 is arranged on a cantilever arm 70 .

[0086] The cantilever 70 is formed with a Fig. 22 , relative to the cavity of the counterpart 72 of the adapter plate, in which the counterpart can be moved axially in the longitudinal direction against the force of a tension spring (not shown). In addition, a recess 74 for disengaging a transverse pin 76 is formed in the cantilever 70 (see Fig.11 The disengagement transverse pin 76 can be inserted through the transverse hole 78 of the adapter plate counterpart 72 , so that the operator can pull the adapter plate counterpart 72 toward the gripping part 68 .

[0087] The gripping element 68 , the adapter plate counterpart 72 mounted in the cantilever arm 70 , and the release transverse pin 76 form a closed position locking mechanism.

[0088] Fig.23 One of two screw-on counter-faces 80 for mounting the lever device 10 , more precisely the adapter plate 12 , on the holding device 26 is shown.

[0089] exist Fig.24 1 shows the lever arrangement 10 in the locked upper closed position. The magnetic coupling is closed and the slot wedge 50 blocks the agitator shaft 28. The closed position locking mechanism is activated because the adapter plate counterpart 72 is pressed toward the adapter plate 12 by the spring force, so that the front engagement section 82 of the adapter plate counterpart 72 is held in engagement with the mating section 84 of the adapter plate 12, thereby preventing the lever 18 from being pressed down.

[0090] In order to disengage the stirring shaft 28 from the magnetic drive 30 of the holding device 26, the operator must first deactivate the closed position locking mechanism by pulling the adapter plate counterpart 72 against the spring force toward the gripping part 68 of the lever by means of the disengaging transverse pin 76. As a result, the adapter plate counterpart 72 is disengaged from the mating section 84 of the adapter plate 12, so that the lever device 10 is unlocked. It is now possible to press the lever 18 downwards, so that the magnetic coupling device is disengaged as described above.

[0091] In large bioreactors, it may be difficult to reach and manually operate the lever device 10. Therefore, the lever device 10 (regardless of its specific embodiment) may be provided with: Figure 8 1 and 10 , which are indicated only symbolically - an operating device 86 which allows remote operation of the lever device 10. In this case, the operator does not have to directly press or pull the grip 21 of the lever device 10 in order to pivot the lever device from the disengaged position into the closed position or vice versa, but can "remotely operate" with the aid of the operating device 86.

[0092] The operating device 86 can have a cable drive or a mechanical connecting rod, for example. It is also possible to provide an electric, hydraulic or pneumatic drive for the operating device 86. In the case, the operating device 86 can also be operated automatically within the scope of a (partial) automated process.

[0093] exist Fig.25 , a transport device 88 for lifting and transporting containers, in particular bioreactors, is shown. The previously described clamp 36 is fastened to the carrying arm 90 of the transport device 88. With the aid of such a transport device 88, it is possible, due to the clamp 36, to hold the removed bioreactor and transport it to the final installation site, that is, to a holding device 26, which has a stirring shaft 28 with a second coupling side 34 and a magnetic drive 30 with a first coupling side 32. The bioreactor is then mounted on the holding device 26 by means of the magnetic coupling as described above. After mounting, the transport device 88 with the clamp 36 can be removed from the stirring shaft 28.

[0094] In order to make it easier to operate the bioreactor, the transport device 88 can have a rotation device 92, by which the clamp 36 can be rotated about a horizontal axis and / or a vertical axis. In addition, the transport device 31 is provided with wheels 94 so that it can be moved at least manually. However, it can also be provided that at least one of the wheels 94 can be driven by a motor.

[0095] In principle, it is also possible to arrange the entire holding device without the magnetic drive 30 but with the first coupling side 32 on the transport device 88. The bioreactor can then be installed on the transport device 88 by means of the magnetic coupling as described above and disassembled accordingly after transport.

[0096] The components of the lever device 10 (including the clamp 36 of the first embodiment) are designed such that they can be manufactured at least for the most part by 3D printing (additive manufacturing method).

[0097] The invention described here with reference to various exemplary embodiments can be used in all magnetically coupled and decoupled agitators or connections, for example agitators of disposable bioreactors or other mixing systems made of solid or flexible plastic.

[0098] Reference numerals list

[0099] 10 Lever device

[0100] 12 Adapter Plate

[0101] 14 Opening

[0102] 16 Fastening section

[0103] 18 Leverage

[0104] 20 Pivot section

[0105] 21 grips

[0106] 22 Pressing section

[0107] 24a Stop pin

[0108] 24b stop bolt

[0109] 25a Upper hole

[0110] 25b Lower hole

[0111] 26. Keep the device

[0112] 28 stirring shaft

[0113] 30 Magnetic drive device

[0114] 32 first coupling side

[0115] 34 Second coupling side

[0116] 36 fixture

[0117] 38 Accommodation Section

[0118] 40 Back pressure surface

[0119] 42 grip section

[0120] 44 Press Ring

[0121] 46 guide tube

[0122] 48-slot geometry

[0123] 50 slot wedge

[0124] 52 blank space

[0125] 54 Clamping surface

[0126] 56 Carrying pin

[0127] 58 locking ring

[0128] 60 rails

[0129] 62 Grip Surface

[0130] 64 support ring

[0131] 66 Connecting elements

[0132] 68 grips

[0133] 70 Cantilever

[0134] 72 adapter plate-matching parts

[0135] 74 blank space

[0136] 76 Disengage the transverse pin

[0137] 78 lateral holes

[0138] 80 screw-matching surface

[0139] 82 joint section

[0140] 84 Pairing Section

[0141] 86 Control Device

[0142] 88 Transportation Equipment

[0143] 90 load-bearing arm

[0144] 92 Rotating equipment

[0145] 94 rounds

Claims

1. A holding device for a container, in particular a bioreactor, the holding device having a magnetic drive device (30) for a separate stirring shaft (28) and a lever device (10) for disconnecting the stirring shaft (28) from the magnetic drive device (30), wherein the magnetic drive device (30) has a first coupling side (32) of a magnetic coupling device and the stirring shaft (28) has a second coupling side (34) of the magnetic coupling device that can be connected to the first coupling side, wherein the lever device (10) has at least one pressing section (22; 64) and can be pivoted between a closed position and a disengaged position, wherein when the lever device (10) is pivoted into the disengaged position, the pressing section (22; 64) moves downward so as to act directly or indirectly on the stirring shaft (28).

2. The holding device according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The lever device (10) has an adapter plate (12) having a lever (18) pivotably mounted thereon and a central opening (14), which is situated opposite the first coupling side (32) and through which a second coupling side (34) of the agitator shaft projects when the agitator shaft (28) is in the installed state.

3. The holding device according to claim 2, It is characterized in that The lever arrangement (10) is detachably fastened to the holding device (26) by means of at least one fastening section (16).

4. A holding device according to claim 1 or 2, It is characterized in that A plurality of pressing sections (22) are provided which are arranged in a distributed manner.

5. A holding device according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that At least one of the pressing sections (22) is formed by a linearly guided displacement element, which moves vertically downward when the lever device (10) is pivoted into the disengagement position.

6. Holding device according to claim 2 and claim 5, It is characterized in that The displacement element is rotatably mounted on a pivot section (20) of the lever arrangement (10) and is guided in a recess of the adapter plate (12).

7. A holding device according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The lever device (10) has an activatable and deactivatable closed position-stop mechanism, wherein the lever device (10) is fixed in the closed position when the closed position-stop mechanism is activated, and can be pivoted between the closed position and the disengaged position when the closed position-stop mechanism is deactivated.

8. A holding device according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The lever device (10) has an activatable and deactivatable disengaged position-detent mechanism, wherein the lever device (10) is fixed in the disengaged position when the disengaged position-detent mechanism is activated and can be pivoted between the disengaged position and the closed position when the disengaged position-detent mechanism is deactivated.

9. A holding device according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that A separate clamp (36) is provided, which is shaped so that it can be placed on the flange of the stirring shaft (28), wherein the clamp (36) has at least one counter-pressure section with a counter-pressure surface (40), which points upward in the installed state of the stirring shaft (28) and engages with the pressing section (22; 64) when the lever device (10) is pivoted into the disengagement position.

10. The holding device according to claim 9, It is characterized in that The clamp (36) has a receiving section (38) having an inner diameter which corresponds approximately to the outer diameter of the first coupling side (32).

11. A holding device according to claim 9 or 10, It is characterized in that The clamp (36) has at least one gripping section (42) at which an operator can hold the clamp (36).

12. A holding device according to any one of claims 9 to 11, It is characterized in that The clamp (36) can be detachably mounted on the stirring shaft (28).

13. A holding device according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that At least a portion of the lever device (10) is manufactured by an additive manufacturing method.

14. A device having a holding device (26) according to any of the above claims and a container, the container being in particular a bioreactor, wherein the stirring shaft (28) is arranged inside the container and has the second coupling side (34) at its upper end, wherein the stirring shaft (28) is mounted on the magnetic drive device (30) of the holding device (26) by closing the magnetic coupling device, so that the magnetic drive device (30) can put the stirring shaft (28) into rotational motion.

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