Continuous fermentation system

US6599735B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• Roche Vitamins Inc. · US

Inventors

• Attila Bartók · Zürich, CH
• Thorsten Mueh · Leverkusen, DE
• Markus Rueckel · Penzberg, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 6, 2000
• Grant date: Jul 29, 2003
• Expiry date: Oct 6, 2020

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10S435/81
• WIPO field: Biotechnology
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A fermentation assembly comprising: (a) a vessel for culturing living cells; (b) at least two storage flasks in fluid communication with the vessel for supply of liquids and a first transport means for transferring the liquids from the storage flasks to the vessel; (c) individual appliances operably connected to the transport means for monitoring the supply of the contents of the storage flasks to the vessel; (d) a harvest flask in fluid communication with the vessel and a second transport means for transferring the fermentation broth from the vessel to the harvest flask; and (e) a device operably connected to the first transport means for controlling and maintaining a constant dilution rate in the vessel with varying rates of individual supply of liquid from the storage flasks to the vessel is disclosed.