Holding device for a container, having a magnetic drive for a separate agitator 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 agitator shaft (28) and a lever device (10) for releasing the agitator shaft (28) from the magnetic drive (30). The magnetic drive (30) has a first coupling side (32) and the agitator shaft (28) has a second coupling side (34) of a magnetic coupling, said second coupling side being connectable to the first coupling side (32). The lever device (10) has at least one pressure portion (22; 64) and is pivotable between a closing position and a release position. As the lever device (10) is pivoted into the release position, the pressure portion (22; 64) is moved downwards in order to act directly or indirectly on the agitator shaft (28).

Description

[0001] Holding device for a container, with a magnetic drive for a separate stirring shaft

[0002] The invention relates to a holding device for a container, in particular a bioreactor, with a magnetic drive for a separate stirring shaft.

[0003] Disposable bioreactors, which consist of a flexible bag and whose contents are to be mixed using an agitator with a rotating agitator shaft, are typically held in a stable holding device that also houses a drive for the agitator shaft. The power transmission between the drive located outside the bioreactor and the agitator shaft located inside the bioreactor can be achieved in a known manner using a magnetic coupling. To close the coupling, i.e. to magnetically connect the agitator shaft to the magnetic drive, the agitator shaft must be manually lifted and positioned at a sufficiently short distance below the drive magnet. To later release the coupling, the agitator shaft is manually pushed downwards. This process is usually uncontrolled, and handling can be very difficult due to the strong magnetic forces.

[0004] The object of the invention is to enable a controlled and safe release of a magnetic coupling with which a stirring shaft is coupled to a magnetic drive.

[0005] 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 specified in the subclaims.

[0006] The holding device according to the invention for a container, in particular a bioreactor, comprises a magnetic drive for a separate agitator shaft and a lever device for releasing the agitator shaft from the magnetic drive. The magnetic drive has a first coupling side, and the agitator shaft has a second coupling side of a magnetic coupling that can be connected to the first coupling side. The lever device has at least one pressure section and is pivotable between a closed position and a release position. When the lever device is pivoted into the release position, the pressure section is moved downward to engage the agitator shaft directly or indirectly.

[0007] The invention is based on the discovery that, in a bioreactor with a stirrer shaft, the magnetic attraction force of a closed magnetic coupling between the magnetic drive and the stirrer shaft can be very strong, but also decreases significantly with increasing distance. Typically, the magnetic force of the magnetic coupling depends on the required torque and increases with the bioreactor size and the specified maximum speed. The forces are typically between 50 and 600 N. Controlling a force of this magnitude is difficult for a single operator, especially since manually engaging the stirrer shaft is cumbersome.

[0008] With the lever mechanism of the holding device according to the invention, the forces to be overcome can be significantly reduced thanks to the leverage effect. Because the magnetic force decreases sharply with distance – roughly speaking, the magnetic force is inversely proportional to the square of the distance – the lever mechanism only needs to ensure that a distance of a few centimeters is maintained between the magnetic drive and the agitator shaft. The magnetic force is then already so weak that an operator can easily hold and remove the bioreactor. At the same time, the lever mechanism allows for considerably simplified handling, as the operator does not have to pull on the agitator shaft, but can conveniently press a lever downwards.

[0009] Not only the removal, but also the assembly of the agitator shaft to the magnetic drive is easier and more controlled thanks to the lever device of the holding device according to the invention. The lever device can be used to prevent premature closure of the magnetic coupling during positioning of the agitator shaft under the magnetic drive, which could result in incorrect positioning or a crushing of the operator's hand. This means that the operator can position the agitator shaft correctly without the agitator shaft coming so close to the magnetic drive that the magnetic force could interfere with handling and, in particular, positioning.

[0010] Thanks to the lever device, both the assembly and removal of the stirrer shaft from the magnetic drive can be carried out by a single operator, largely eliminating the risk of operator injury or damage to the bioreactor.

[0011] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the lever device comprises an adapter plate with a pivotably mounted lever and a central opening opposite the first coupling side, through which the second coupling side of the agitator shaft protrudes when the agitator shaft is mounted. The design of the adapter plate, which can be securely 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.

[0012] Preferably, the lever device is detachably attached to the holding device by means of at least one fastening section. For example, special fastening sections adapted to the structural conditions can be provided, with which the lever device can be installed and removed. The detachable fastening allows the lever device to be used on other holding devices as well.

[0013] The use of several distributed pressure sections allows the forces generated by the lever movement to be evenly distributed over the upper end of the agitator shaft, so that the release of the agitator shaft from the magnetic drive is not accompanied by an uncontrolled tilting movement.

[0014] The forces introduced by the pivoting movement of the lever should act as effectively as possible on the agitator shaft so that it easily releases from the magnetic drive. In a preferred design of the lever device, the at least one pressure section is formed by a linearly guided sliding element that moves vertically downward when the lever device is pivoted into the release position. This ensures that the introduced forces act precisely in the direction in which the agitator shaft is released from the magnetic drive.

[0015] A conversion of the pivoting movement of the lever into a linear movement of the at least one sliding element can be achieved in that the sliding element is rotatably mounted on a pivoting section of the lever device and is guided in a recess of the adapter plate.

[0016] To increase 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 safety mechanism. When the safety mechanism is activated, the lever device is fixed in the closed position, whereas when the safety mechanism is deactivated, the lever device can be pivoted between the closed position and the released position. Activating the safety mechanism after coupling the agitator shaft thus ensures that the lever device cannot be accidentally pivoted into the released position during operation.

[0017] Furthermore, the lever device can also have an activatable and deactivatable release position securing mechanism which, in the activated state, fixes the lever device in the release position, whereas, in the deactivated state, it allows the lever device to pivot between the release position and the closed position.

[0018] According to a particular aspect of the invention, the lever device can be supplemented by a separate gripper. The gripper is shaped such that it can be attached to a collar of the agitator shaft. This makes the agitator shaft easier to handle. The gripper further comprises at least one counterpressure section with a counterpressure surface which points upwards when the agitator shaft is mounted and which engages with the pressure section when the lever device is pivoted into the release position. The force introduction via the counterpressure surface(s) of the gripper protects the upper end of the agitator shaft from direct contact with the pressure section(s) of the lever device, so that the container, in particular the flexible bioreactor bag, is not (accidentally) damaged during removal.In addition, the gripper can be used to bridge a distance between the lever device and the container and to provide a flat surface on the connection geometry.

[0019] The gripper preferably has a circular or partially circular receiving section with an inner diameter that approximately corresponds to the outer diameter of the first coupling side of the magnetic drive. Thanks to the matching diameters, the gripper with the agitator shaft can be easily positioned under the magnetic drive so that the two coupling sides are exactly opposite each other. The receiving section then grips the downwardly projecting first coupling side of the magnetic drive. This guides the movement of the agitator shaft caused by the magnetic force in the direction of the magnetic drive, preventing an operator's hand or finger from accidentally getting caught between the two coupling sides.

[0020] Particularly comfortable handling is achieved by designing the gripper with at least one gripping section where an operator can easily hold the gripper.

[0021] In the case of a very large container, handling can be facilitated by a transport device for lifting and transporting the container, as is generally known, 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 assembly or after disassembly.

[0022] Preferably, the gripper can be detachably attached to the agitator shaft so that the gripper can be removed again after the agitator shaft has been coupled and used for other purposes if necessary.

[0023] At least part of the lever device (certain components) of the holding device according to the invention can be manufactured by an additive manufacturing process. In particular, these components of the lever device and optionally also other components of the holding device can be manufactured by selective laser sintering (SLS) from a powdered starting material such as polyamide. In general, production by means of an additive manufacturing process has the advantage that, with regard to the design of the internal geometries, material loss and assembly costs are lower compared to conventional manufacturing processes. This is particularly relevant for embodiments in which complex or otherwise difficult to realize geometries are provided, such as groove geometries or recesses for sliding blocks. A further advantage can be seen in the fact that additive manufacturing processes offer the possibility of realizing large radii, for exampleto protect the flexible bioreactor bag from damage caused by edges.

[0024] Under certain circumstances, it may be difficult for the operator to operate the lever device manually, for example, if the container is very large and the handle of the lever device is therefore not easily accessible. Therefore, a particular embodiment of the invention provides an actuating device coupled to the lever device for remote actuation of the lever device. This means that the actuating device can be used to pivot the lever device between the closed position and the released position and / or between the released position and the closed position.

[0025] The invention also provides an arrangement comprising a holding device as defined above and a container, in particular a bioreactor, with a stirrer shaft arranged inside the container, which has a second coupling side (matching the first coupling side of the magnetic drive) at its upper end. The stirrer shaft is mounted on the magnetic drive of the holding device by closing the magnetic coupling in such a way that the magnetic drive can set the stirrer shaft in rotation.

[0026] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings, to which reference is made. In the drawings:

[0027] - Figure 1a is a perspective view of a lever device for a bioreactor holding device according to the invention according to a first variant of a first embodiment in an upper closed position;

[0028] - Figure 1b is a perspective view of the lever device of Figure 1a in the release position; - Figure 2 is a front view of the lever device of Figure 1a in the release position;

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

[0030] - Figure 3b is a perspective view of the lever device from Figure 2a in the fixed release position;

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

[0032] - Figure 5 is a front view of the holding device of Figure 4;

[0033] - Figure 6 is a perspective view of the holding device of Figure 4 when releasing the magnetic coupling;

[0034] - Figure 7 is a front view of the holding device of Figure 4 when releasing the magnetic coupling;

[0035] - Figure 8 is a perspective view of the holding device of Figure 4 with the gripper removed;

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

[0037] - Figure 10 is a further perspective view of the lever device of Figure 9;

[0038] - Figure 11 is a perspective view of a lever device for a bioreactor holding device according to the invention according to a second variant of the second embodiment;

[0039] - Figure 12 is a further perspective view of the lever device from Figure

[0040] 11; - Figure 13 is a perspective view of part of the lever device according to the second embodiment;

[0041] - Figure 14 is a perspective view of the adapter plate of the lever device according to the second embodiment;

[0042] - Figure 15 is a perspective view of the pressure ring of the lever device according to the second embodiment;

[0043] - Figure 16 is a perspective view of one of the sliding blocks of the lever device according to the second embodiment;

[0044] - Figure 17 is a perspective view of the locking ring of the lever device according to the second embodiment;

[0045] - Figure 18 is a perspective view of the support ring of the lever device according to the second embodiment;

[0046] - Figure 19 is a perspective view of the lever (without handle) according to the first variant and of the lever according to the second variant of the second embodiment;

[0047] - Figure 20 is a perspective view of the handle of the lever device according to the second variant of the second embodiment;

[0048] - Figure 21 is a perspective view of connecting elements of the lever device according to the second embodiment;

[0049] - Figure 22 is a perspective view of one of the screw-on counter surfaces of the lever device according to the second embodiment;

[0050] - Figure 23 is a perspective view of the adapter plate counterpart of the lever device according to the second embodiment;

[0051] - Figure 24 is a perspective sectional view of a detail of the lever device with the engaged adapter plate counterpart according to the second embodiment in the upper closed position; and

[0052] - Figure 25 shows a perspective view of a transport device for lifting and transporting a container, in particular a bioreactor, with a gripper. Figures 1a, 1b, and 2 each separately show a first variant of a first embodiment of a lever device 10 for separating a stirrer shaft from a magnetic drive in an upper closed position (Figure 1a) and in a released position (Figures 1b and 2). The lever device 10 comprises an adapter plate 12 with a central opening 14 through which the upper end of a stirrer shaft can protrude.

[0053] The adapter plate 12 has fastening sections 16 with which the adapter plate 12 can be attached to a holding device for a container, in this case a disposable bioreactor. In the illustrated embodiment, the fastening sections 16 are formed by screw-on clamping jaws that provide counter surfaces for mounting on the holding device.

[0054] A lever 18 is pivotally 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 each other by a handle 21. The rear ends of the pivot sections 20 are rotatably mounted on the rear end of the adapter plate 12 on its side surfaces.

[0055] The lever 18 further comprises pressure sections 22, which are moved downward upon actuation of the lever 18. In the illustrated embodiment, the pressure sections 22 are formed by two sliding elements guided in recesses of the adapter plate 12. The pressure sections 22 are rotatably mounted on the pivoting sections 20, so that upon a pivoting movement of the lever 18, the pressure sections 22 move linearly vertically downward thanks to the guidance in the recesses of the adapter plate 12 and thereby emerge from the adapter plate 12, as can be seen in Figures 1b and 2.

[0056] The lever device 10 further comprises a locking mechanism for the closed position. When the locking mechanism is activated, the lever 18 is blocked in the upper locking position shown in Figure 1a, i.e., a pivoting movement of the lever 18 into the release position shown in Figures 1b and 2 is not possible. If the locking mechanism is deactivated, the lever 18 can be moved back and forth between the release position and the upper locking position. In particular, the release position can be defined by a stop or the like that limits the extent of the downward pivoting movement.

[0057] The lever device 10 can also be fixed in the release position (lower closed position). A release position locking mechanism can be used to lock the lever 18 in the release position shown in Figures 1b and 2, preventing the lever 18 from pivoting upward. The release position locking mechanism can, of course, also be manually deactivated to allow the lever 18 to pivot between the release position and the upper closed position.

[0058] A concrete embodiment of the locking position and release position securing mechanism, which is nevertheless only to be understood as an example, is briefly explained using the second variant of the lever device 10 shown in Figures 2a and 2b.

[0059] A locking pin 24a which can be fixed in two positions is connected to a locking bolt 24b which can be axially displaced in or on the adapter plate 12 and which in turn can interact with two bores 25a, 25b in the pivoting sections of the lever 18.

[0060] To fix the lever in the upper closed position, the operator pushes the locking pin 24a to the left (as shown in the figures) so that the locking pin 24b penetrates the lower bore 25b aligned with it and prevents pivoting movement of the lever 18. By rotating the locking pin 24b downwards around its longitudinal axis, the locking pin 24b is fixed in this position, and the closed position locking mechanism is activated.

[0061] The lever 18 can also be secured when it is in the lower release position. To do so, the operator pushes the locking bolt 24b through the upper bore 25a, which is aligned with the locking pin 24a in this position, by means of the locking pin 24a. The locking bolt is secured by rotating it downward, thus activating the release position locking mechanism. The use of the lever device 10 in a holding device 26 for a disposable bioreactor, both components of a bioreactor system, is described below with reference to Figures 4 to 8.

[0062] A bioreactor (not shown separately in the figures) with a stirrer shaft 28 arranged therein is to be mounted in the holding device 26 such that a magnetic drive 30 of the holding device 26 can magnetically set the stirrer shaft 28 in rotation without a direct mechanical connection between the drive 30 and the stirrer shaft 28. The bioreactor is mounted in the holding device 26 by means of a magnetic coupling. The magnetic drive 30 has a circular, downwardly projecting magnetic first coupling side 32. A matching upwardly facing second coupling side 34 is formed at the upper end of the stirrer shaft 28.

[0063] The lever device 10 is attached to the holding device 26 by means of the fastening sections 16 such that the opening 14 in the adapter plate 12 is opposite the first coupling side 32 of the drive 30, so that the first coupling side 32 is accessible from below. The lever device 10 is preferably detachably attached so that it can be removed from the holding device 26 and attached to another holding device.

[0064] To mount the bioreactor with the agitator shaft 28 in the holding device 26, the magnetic coupling between the magnetic drive 30 and the agitator shaft 28 must be closed. To do this, the agitator shaft 28 is brought into contact with the magnetic drive 30 in the bioreactor so that the two coupling sides 32, 34 are opposite each other.

[0065] For better handling and to simplify the positioning of the bioreactor with the agitator shaft 28, a gripper 36 can be used. The gripper 36 has a receiving section 38, counterpressure sections with upwardly facing counterpressure surfaces 40, and laterally outwardly projecting gripping sections 42. The receiving section 38 of the gripper 36 is approximately semicircular and can receive a collar at the upper end of the agitator shaft 28, so that the gripper 36 is securely but detachably attached to the agitator shaft 28. The gripping sections 42 then allow an operator to hold and position the entire bioreactor with the agitator shaft 28. The receiving section 38 of the gripper 36 is also matched to the downwardly projecting first coupling side 32 of the magnetic drive 30. More precisely, the inner diameter of the receiving section 38 approximately corresponds to the outer diameter of the first coupling side 32 of the magnetic drive 30.

[0066] When the gripper 36 is used, the bioreactor is mounted in the holding device 26 as follows: The operator pushes the lever 18 of the lever device 10 downwards until it is in the release position and activates the release position locking mechanism so that the lever 18 is automatically held securely in this position. (Even without such a release position locking mechanism, the lever 18 would remain in the release position after overcoming the magnetic holding force, but could accidentally be pushed back up.) While the lever device 10 is in the release position, the operator positions the bioreactor using the gripper 36 under the magnetic drive 30 so that the two coupling sides 32, 34 face each other. The downwardly projecting pressure sections 22 of the lever device 10 keep the upper end of the stirrer shaft 28 at a distance and prevent premature closing of the magnetic coupling.The pressure sections of the lever device 10 press against the counter-pressure surfaces 40 of the gripper 36.

[0067] After the operator has positioned the receiving section 38 of the gripper 36 around the downwardly projecting first coupling side 32 of the magnetic drive 30, they first release the release position locking mechanism. They then pivot the lever 18 of the lever device 10 upward into the upper closed position, so that the pressure sections 22 move upward and no longer protrude from the adapter plate 12. Attracted by the magnetic force of the first coupling side 32, the upper end of the agitator shaft 28 moves upward until the magnetic coupling is closed (see Figures 4 and 5). This movement is guided thanks to the interaction of the receiving section 38 of the gripper 36 with the projecting first coupling side 32.

[0068] After mounting the bioreactor in the holding device 26, the gripper 36 can be removed from the agitator shaft 28 (see Figure 8). If the assembly is performed without a gripper 36, the operator must manually position the agitator shaft 28 under the magnetic drive 30 in a conventional manner. In this case, the pressure sections 22 of the lever device 10 interact directly with upwardly facing counterpressure surfaces of the agitator shaft 28.

[0069] Before the agitator shaft 28 is put into operation, the operator activates the closed position safety mechanism by means of the safety pin 24a, so that during operation there is no risk that the agitator shaft 28 and thus the entire bioreactor can be unintentionally released from the holding device 26 by accidentally pressing the lever 18 of the lever device 10.

[0070] Removing the bioreactor from the holding device 26 takes place in the reverse order of the steps described above. If a gripper 36 is used, it is attached to the collar of the agitator shaft 28. Before the lever 18 can be pushed down from the upper closed position to release the magnetic coupling, the closed position locking mechanism must be deactivated using the locking pin 24a. By pushing the lever 18 down into the release position, the pressure sections 22 engage with the counterpressure surfaces 40 of the gripper 36 and thereby distribute the applied force; moreover, the agitator shaft 28 is protected by avoiding direct contact with the pressure sections 22. The agitator shaft 28 is pressed down in this way until the magnetic attraction forces are largely overcome and the magnetic coupling is released. This movement of the agitator shaft 28 is guided, at least initially.During this process, the operator can hold the bioreactor with the gripper 36 so that the bioreactor does not fall down uncontrollably.

[0071] If no gripper 36 is used, the pressure sections 22 of the lever device 10 press directly onto the counterpressure surfaces of the agitator shaft 28. When releasing the magnetic coupling, the operator holds the bioreactor in the usual way.

[0072] Figures 9 and 10, and 11 and 12, respectively, show a first and a second variant of an alternative second embodiment of the lever device 10. The two variants differ—apart from the fact that the first variant does not have a locking mechanism for securing the closed position—only in the design of the lever 18, which is constructed in one piece in the first variant and in two pieces in the second variant (see Figures 19 and 20). The other essential components of the lever device 10, which are essentially identical in both variants of the second embodiment, are shown together in Figure 13 (without the lever 18) and individually in Figures 14 to 18 and 21 to 24.

[0073] 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 structure of the lever device 10 compared to the first embodiment will be discussed below. The function and operation of the lever device 10 are essentially the same.

[0074] The adapter plate 12 (see Figure 14) of the lever device 10 mounted on the holding device 26 is designed here to accommodate a pressure ring 44 (see Figure 15) attached to the bioreactor or to the agitator shaft 28. For this purpose, the adapter plate 12 and the pressure ring 46 each have a guide tube 46 and groove geometries 48 that are coordinated with one another. The guide tubes 46 and the groove geometries 48 prevent jamming or tilting when closing or releasing the magnetic coupling. In particular, this ensures that when pressing on the upper flange of the agitator shaft 28, a uniform force is applied to release the magnetic coupling.

[0075] To secure the connection between the pressure ring 46 attached to the bioreactor or the agitator shaft 28 and the adapter plate 12 of the lever device 10 mounted on the holding device 26 during the ongoing process, several sliding blocks 50 (see Figure 16) are provided, which can be inserted radially from the outside inward into corresponding recesses 52 of the pressure ring 46. The sliding blocks 50 have clamping surfaces 54 and drive pins 56, which protrude axially when the sliding blocks 50 are inserted into the recesses 52. The sliding blocks 50 are pushed inward far enough that the clamping effect on the clamping surfaces 54 is sufficiently large to ensure a secure connection.

[0076] The sliding blocks 50 are inserted and secured using a locking ring 58 (see Figure 17), which has guideways 60 adapted to the position and shape of the drive pins 56, similar to a bayonet lock. The connection is secured by placing and rotating the locking ring 58; an adjustable torque limiter (not shown) can optionally be provided.

[0077] The adapter plate 12, the pressure ring 44, the sliding blocks 50 and the locking ring 58 replace a Tri-Clamp connection, whereby manual handling is simplified not least by a profiled grip surface 62 of the locking ring 58.

[0078] A support ring 64 (see Figure 18) rests on the pressure ring 44. This support ring is pressed downward when the magnetic coupling is released and transfers the force required to overcome the magnetic force to the pressure ring 44 and thus to the agitator shaft 18. This means that the support ring 64 functionally corresponds to the pressure sections 22 of the first embodiment. Furthermore, the support ring 64 serves to fix the locking ring 58.

[0079] Figure 19 shows the pivoting sections 20 of the lever device 10, which are rotatably mounted on the adapter plate 12. With the pivoting sections 20 and the connecting elements 66 between the lever 18 and the pressure ring 44, shown individually in Figure 21, a downward pivoting movement of the lever 18 is converted into a linear downward movement of the support ring 64 and the pressure ring 44.

[0080] The handle 68 shown in Figure 20 is attached to a boom 70 according to the second variant of the second embodiment.

[0081] A cavity is formed in the arm 70 for receiving a counterpart 72 to the adapter plate, shown in Figure 22, which is axially displaceable in the longitudinal direction therein against the force of a tension spring (not shown). Furthermore, recesses 74 for a release cross pin 76 (see Figure 11) are formed in the arm 70. The release cross pin 76 can be inserted through a transverse bore 78 of the adapter plate counterpart 72, allowing an operator to pull the adapter plate counterpart 72 toward the handle 68.

[0082] The handle 68, the adapter plate counterpart 72 mounted in the boom 70 and the release cross pin 76 form the closed position.

[0083] Safety mechanism. Figure 23 shows one of the two screw-on counter surfaces 80 for mounting the lever device 10, more precisely the adapter plate 12, on the holding device 26.

[0084] Figure 24 shows the lever device 10 in the locked upper closed position. The magnetic coupling is closed, and the sliding blocks 50 secure the agitator shaft 28. The closed position safety mechanism is activated because the adapter plate counterpart 72 is pressed toward the adapter plate 12 by the spring force, thereby holding a front engagement portion 82 of the adapter plate counterpart 72 in engagement with a counter portion 84 of the adapter plate 12, preventing the lever 18 from being depressed.

[0085] To release the agitator shaft 28 from the magnetic drive 30 of the holding device 26, the operator must first deactivate the closed position safety mechanism by using the release cross pin 76 to pull the adapter plate counterpart 72 against the spring force toward the handle 68 of the lever. This disengages the adapter plate counterpart 72 from the counterpart section 84 of the adapter plate 12, unlocking the lever device 10. It is now possible to push the lever 18 downward and thus release the magnetic coupling, as described above.

[0086] In large bioreactors, it can be difficult to reach and manually operate the lever device 10. Therefore, an actuating device 86—only symbolically indicated in Figure 8—can be provided on the lever device 10 (regardless of its specific design), allowing remote actuation of the lever device 10. In this case, the operator does not have to directly push or pull the handle 21 of the lever device 10 to pivot it from the release position to the closed position or vice versa, but can do so "remotely" using the actuating device 86.

[0087] The actuating device 86 can, for example, have a cable pull or a mechanical linkage. It is also possible for an electric, hydraulic, or pneumatic drive to be provided for the actuating device 86. In this case, the actuating device 86 can also be operated automatically as part of a (partially) automated process. Figure 25 shows a transport device 88 for lifting and transporting a container, in particular a bioreactor. The previously described gripper 36 is attached to a support arm 90 of the transport device 88. With such a transport device 88, thanks to the gripper 36, it is possible to hold an unpacked bioreactor, which has a stirrer shaft 28 with a second coupling side 34, and to transport it to a final installation location, i.e., to a holding device 26, which has a magnetic drive 30 with a first coupling side 32.The bioreactor is then mounted to the holding device 26 using the magnetic coupling as previously described. After assembly, the transport device 88 can be removed from the agitator shaft 28 using the gripper 36.

[0088] To facilitate handling of the bioreactor, the transport device 88 can have a rotating device 92, by which the gripper 36 can be rotated about a horizontal and / or vertical axis. The transport device 31 is further provided with wheels 94 and can thus 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.

[0089] In principle, it is also possible to provide the entire holding device—without the magnetic drive 30, but with a first coupling side 32—on the transport device 88. The bioreactor can then be mounted on the transport device 88 using the magnetic coupling as described above and disassembled accordingly after transport.

[0090] The components of the lever device 10 (including the gripper 36 of the first embodiment) are designed so that they can be manufactured at least largely by 3D printing (additive manufacturing process).

[0091] The invention described here using various embodiments can be used in all agitators or connections that are magnetically coupled and decoupled, such as agitators of disposable bioreactors made of rigid or flexible plastic or other mixing systems.

[0092] 10 Lever device

[0093] 12 adapter plate

[0094] 14 Opening

[0095] 16 fastening sections

[0096] 18 levers

[0097] 20 swivel sections

[0098] 21 Handle

[0099] 22 print sections

[0100] 24a locking pin

[0101] 24b locking bolt

[0102] 25a upper hole

[0103] 25b lower hole

[0104] 26 Holding device

[0105] 28 agitator shaft

[0106] 30 magnetic drive

[0107] 32 first clutch side

[0108] 34 second clutch side

[0109] 36 grippers

[0110] 38 Recording section

[0111] 40 counterpressure surfaces

[0112] 42 gripping sections

[0113] 44 Pressure ring

[0114] 46 Guide tube 48 Groove geometries

[0115] 50 T-nuts

[0116] 52 recesses

[0117] 54 clamping surfaces

[0118] 56 driving pins

[0119] 58 locking ring

[0120] 60 guideways

[0121] 62 grip surface

[0122] 64 support ring

[0123] 66 fasteners

[0124] 68 handle

[0125] 70 booms

[0126] 72 adapter plate counterpart

[0127] 74 recesses

[0128] 76 Release cross pin

[0129] 78 cross hole

[0130] 80 screw-on counter surfaces

[0131] 82 intervention section

[0132] 84 Countersection

[0133] 86 Actuating device

[0134] 88 Transport device

[0135] 90 T ragarm

[0136] 92 Rotating device

[0137] 94 wheels

Claims

Patent claims 1. A holding device for a container, in particular a bioreactor, with a magnetic drive (30) for a separate agitator shaft (28) and a lever device (10) for releasing the agitator shaft (28) from the magnetic drive (30), wherein the magnetic drive (30) has a first coupling side (32) and the agitator shaft (28) has a second coupling side (34) of a magnetic coupling that can be connected to the first coupling side, wherein the lever device (10) has at least one pressure section (22; 64) and is pivotable between a closed position and a release position, wherein when the lever device (10) is pivoted into the release position, the pressure section (22; 64) is moved downwards in order to act directly or indirectly on the agitator shaft (28).

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

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

4. Holding device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that several distributed pressure sections (22) are provided.

5. Holding device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one pressure section (22) is formed by a linearly guided sliding element which moves vertically downwards when the lever device (10) is pivoted into the release position.

6. Holding device according to claim 2 and claim 5, characterized in that the sliding element is rotatably mounted on a pivoting portion (20) of the lever device (10) and is guided in a recess of the adapter plate (12).

7. Holding device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lever device (10) has an activatable and deactivatable closed position securing mechanism, wherein the lever device (10) is fixed in the closed position when the closed position securing mechanism is activated and is pivotable between the closed position and the release position when the closed position securing mechanism is deactivated.

8. Holding device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lever device (10) has an activatable and deactivatable release position securing mechanism, wherein the lever device (10) is fixed in the release position when the release position securing mechanism is activated and is pivotable between the release position and the closed position when the release position securing mechanism is deactivated.

9. Holding device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a separate gripper (36) which is shaped so that it can be attached to a collar of the agitator shaft (28), wherein the gripper (36) has at least one counter-pressure section with a counter-pressure surface (40) which, in the assembled state of the agitator shaft (28), points upwards and comes into engagement with the pressure section (22; 64) when the lever device (10) is pivoted into the release position.

10. Holding device according to claim 9, characterized in that the gripper (36) has a receiving portion (38) with an inner diameter which corresponds approximately to an outer diameter of the first coupling side (32).

11. Holding device according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the gripper (36) has at least one gripping section (42) at which an operator can hold the gripper (36).

12. Holding device according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the gripper (36) can be detachably attached to the stirring shaft (28).

13. Holding device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least part of the lever device (10) is manufactured by an additive manufacturing process.

14. Arrangement with a holding device (26) according to one of the preceding claims and a container, in particular a bioreactor, wherein the stirring shaft (28) is arranged in the interior of the container and has the second coupling side (34) at its upper end, wherein the stirring shaft (28) is mounted on the magnetic drive (30) of the holding device (26) by closing the magnetic coupling in such a way that the magnetic drive (30) can set the stirring shaft (28) in a rotary movement.

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