Patent Publication Number: US-11643627-B2

Title: Housing for holding a flexible bioprocess bag

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a National Stage of International Application No. PCT/EP2017/084621 filed on Dec. 27, 2017, which claims priority to Indian Patent Application No. 201611044877 filed on Dec. 29, 2016, Indian Patent Application No. 201611044898 filed on Dec. 29, 2016 and Indian Patent Application No. 201741011286 filed on Mar. 30, 2017, all of which are incorporated herein in their entireties. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The subject matter disclosed herein relates to housings for holding a flexible bioprocess bag, to flexible bioprocess bags and to methods for loading a flexible bioprocess bag into a support housing. The flexible bioprocess bag can be a flexible bioprocess bag used for holding ingredients, such as a bioreactor bag. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Single-use or disposable systems are rapidly increasing in different industries and especially in industries that require use of clean processing equipment and clean rooms, such as in the biopharmaceutical industry. Disposable systems are flexible and cost-effective and cleaning processes may be reduced or eliminated. Traditional systems comprise re-usable wetted parts in fluid contact which are typically built as stainless steel installations (tubes and vessels), which need to be cleaned or sterilized in between processes or batches. Sterilization is typically done by steam sterilization, which requires technical infrastructure and is a complex and time-consuming process. In contrast, disposable components in disposable systems provide surfaces in fluid contact that are preferably pre-sterilized and pre-qualified to all regulatory requirements. Disposable or single-use systems are replaced in between processes to eliminate cleaning and sterilization issues. Due to lower complexity in systems and auxiliary systems, disposable systems are therefore easy to adapt to different production purposes and facilities. Further, it is easy and less costly to change a product line compared to traditional equipment. Disposable systems may provide also improved reliability as well as product and operator safety in biopharmaceutical processing. 
     There are several kinds of disposable systems, such as mixing systems, in which disposable containers or bags are used. These containers or bags comprise often sheets of flexible material, such as plastic, plastic laminates or corresponding materials. A flexible bioprocess bag refers to a bag or pouch made of walls of similar structure preferably assembled by welding. These walls may be made of a mono or multilayer film including or not a barrier layer based on a barrier polymer like ethylene vinyl alcohol polymer (EVOH). Generally, these films may have an inner layer (in contact with the contents of the bag when filled) based on a polyolefin, preferably an ultra-low density polyethylene, pref. medical grade (ULDPE). The bag may be of cylindrical shape. Although cylindrical flexible bioprocess bags are difficult to manufacture, the cylindrical shape can be approximated and achieved by welding of multiple film panels of suitable size and shape. However, the flexible bioprocess bags can equally have cubic or parallel piped shape. Various processing and pre-conditioning steps need to be performed within these bags such as for example pre-sterilization. 
     One type of mixing system in which such containers or bags can be used is a bioreactor system in which cells or microorganisms can grow. Here, the bags are provided as closed and pre-sterilized components in order to avoid any contamination or inhibition in the growth of the microorganisms or cells intended for cultivation in the bioreactor. 
     Mixing systems include also systems used to prepare for example buffer and media, which may involve the dissolving of salts, the homogenization of suspended solids or similar. 
     Mixing systems include also systems for performing reactions, treatments (e.g. virus inactivation), and separations (2-phase system formation, extraction, flocculation), among other fluid processing and fluid treatment operations. 
     Mixing systems may comprise a support or vessel which supports or houses a disposable bag or container of the above-mentioned type. The support may be a support plate or tray for a bioreactor bag of a kind used in GE Healthcare WAVE Bioreactor®. The WAVE bioreactor is an example of a mixing system without an active mixing element, such as an agitator or impeller, submerged in the fluid. With the WAVE system, mixing is obtained by rocking the container and the platform holding the container. The vessel may also be a tank-type support which has a substantially cylindrical form, for example substantially circular cylindrical and is made of rigid material such as stainless steel to provide sufficient support for the flexible bioprocess bag or container, for example of a kind used in Xcellerex XDR™ Single-use bioreactors. The Xcellerex bioreactor is an example of a mixing system comprising an active mixing element, here a rotating impeller. The flexible container or bag is placed inside the vessel in an accurate manner so that for example different pipelines or tubes, mixers and sensors can be connected to the bag properly and accurately. WO 2005/118771 A2 discloses a disposable system of this kind. 
     In general, mixing systems and mixing containers or bags may be designed as a stand-alone system; or, may be part of a bioreactor, a fluid storage vessel, fluid mixing unit and so on. 
     Containers may vary in size from about 0.1-2000 litres. Especially at larger sizes (&gt;20 litres), the use of vessels or rigid support structures is preferred and required for reinforcing the containers or to enable the connection of different pipelines or sensors to the containers. 
     The disposable containers or bags often comprise portions of rigid or semi-rigid materials for connection of tubing, ports, attachment points or general reinforcement. These rigid or semi-rigid portions provide a platform for safe and secure attachment of for example sensors, pipelines for fluids (both gas and liquid) and mixers. Further, the rigid or semi-rigid parts can reinforce and stabilize the containers and therefore facilitate placing of the containers into mixing vessels in accurate manner. 
     Bioprocess or mixing bags are typically provided in a housing of the bioreactor. There are numerous ways to load a flexible bioprocess bag in the housing. A standard solution for loading the flexible bioprocess bag into the rigid housing is to utilize an opening in the bioreactor wall to insert the collapsed bag through this opening (XDR Bioreactor™, GE Healthcare™. A reinforcement plate is then used to support the bag across the surface of the opening during processing and when filled with liquid. This loading method is applicable to bags that can be collapsed to a small size. Another method of loading a flexible bioprocess bag is to utilize one or multiple door segments in the rigid housing of the bioreactor. By closing the door(s) after bag loading, the rigid housing does support the bag during processing and when filled with liquid. The flexible bioprocess bag may also be loaded through an opening at the top of the rigid housing. However, this method is typically only applicable for smaller bioreactors with a height of the rigid housing not exceeding approximately 50 cm. 
     The above described bag loading methods all have the disadvantage of the operator needing to access the internal of the bioreactor and the rigid housing to arrange the bag in its required position, for example by docking a magnetic impeller in the bag to a magnetic drive plate in the bottom of the rigid housing. This issue with poor usability and ergonomics is in proportion to the size of the reactor. 
     Another loading method that provides better access to the bottom of the rigid housing is described in the product Mobius® 2000 Liter Single-Use Bioreactor from Millipore™. Here a bottom loading drawer is used. The drawer is guided on rails and can be drawn out below the rigid housing. A single-use bioreactor can be provided inside the drawer which then is pushed back to a position below the rest of the rigid housing. Another example can be seen in the ABEC CSR-Bioreactor™. Here a small carriage is provided as a bottom part of the rigid housing. The carriage can be moved to a loading position outside the rigid housing. The single use bioreactor is provided on the carriage which then is moved back into the rigid housing. 
     A drawback with the movable bottom part of the Millipore device is that cable and/or tubing carriers have to be employed to accommodate the change in distances between cable and/or tubing connection points at the bioreactor bottom and the system, respectively. Due to the linear motion and displacement of the movable bottom, these cable carriers are not static but need to be movable and flexible, which requires additional space underneath the rigid housing and bioreactor. Also, handling the tubing and cables during the operation of the bioreactor device may be cumbersome. 
     Another solution for loading the bag is where a bag is placed on the bottom of a rigid housing. A hoist connected to an end of the bag is used to lift and vertically orient the bag within the rigid housing. The rigid housing may have a door that can be opened to access the bottom of the rigid housing. An operator needs to climb up along the side of the rigid housing of the bioreactor using a ladder to connect the cable and/or tubes to ports of the bag. The ladder may be an integral part of the rigid housing or a separate ladder can be used. This loading method also poses usability issues and poor ergonomics for the operator. In other solutions, the operator may need to manually lift the bag to connect its end to a stand of the rigid housing. The stand facilitates the bag to be oriented vertically within the rigid housing. The operator may need to use a ladder to climb along the side of the housing for connecting the bag to the stand and also connect the tubes to bag ports and other cables. The connection or installation of exhaust air filters at the top of the bioreactor and bag is another operational step during bag installation and/or processing that requires the operator to interact with the top of the bag and reactor, and requires the operator to climb a ladder or enter a gallery at the top of the reactor vessel. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The object of the invention is to provide a support housing for a flexible bioprocess bag, where the flexible bioprocess bag can be loaded in the housing in an easy way with good ergonomics for the operator. This is achieved by the housing comprising a side wall and a supporting part connected to a side wall to tiltably translate with respect to a longitudinal axis of the housing from an operating position to a bag loading position, wherein the supporting part comprises one or more retainers for holding the flexible bioprocess bag upon re-translation of the supporting part to the operating position. In some embodiments, the side wall comprises a first segment and a second segment, the first segment movable in relation to the second segment between an open and a closed position. 
     This is also achieved by a support housing having an upright side wall and a supporting part connected to the upright side wall to tiltably translate with respect to a longitudinal axis of the housing from an operating position to a bag loading position, wherein the supporting part comprises one or more retainers for holding the flexible bioprocess bag upon re-translation of the supporting part to the operating position. In some embodiments, the upright side wall comprises a first segment and a second segment, the first segment movable in relation to the second segment between an open and a closed position. 
     This is also achieved by a method of providing a flexible bioprocess bag in a bioreactor. The bioreactor comprises a housing having an upright side wall and a supporting part arranged to tiltably translate with respect to a longitudinal axis of the housing from an operating position to a bag loading position. The method comprises loading a flexible bioprocess bag on the supporting part arranged to the bag loading position; securing the flexible bioprocess bag on the supporting part using one or more retainers; and re-translating the supporting part to the operating position thereby positioning the flexible bioprocess bag within the housing. 
     The supporting part is tiltably translatable between a vertical orientation and a horizontal orientation. In the horizontal orientation, the flexible bioprocess bag is loaded on the supporting part in a convenient manner for an operator. The operator can place the flexible bioprocess bag on top of the supporting part and make required connections to the flexible bioprocess bag. Subsequently, the supporting part is translated or moved to the vertical orientation making the bag loading process easy. While loading of the flexible bioprocess bag and a corresponding loading position will be discussed hereafter, it is understood that the technical and ergonomic advantages of the invention with its improved loading position during bag loading equally apply during the removal of the bag. The supporting part can be retranslated from the vertical orientation to the horizontal orientation and the flexible bioprocess bag can be removed from the supporting part. The side wall of the support housing is designed with a double jacket to accommodate heat exchange features and transfer heat to or from the flexible bioprocess bag and bioreactor fluid volume to the jacketed vessel or vice versa. The heat exchange features enable the transfer of heat from support housing to the flexible bioprocess bag and the bioreactor fluid in the bag. 
     A method of cultivating cells in a bioreactor is disclosed. The bioreactor includes a support housing comprising a side wall having a first segment and a second segment, the first segment movable in relation to the second segment between an open and a closed position; wherein at least a supporting part of the first segment is arranged to be translatable from an operating position to form a bag loading position. The method includes loading the flexible bioprocess bag on the supporting part arranged in the bag loading position; securing the flexible bioprocess bag on the supporting part using one or more retainers; re-translating the supporting part to the operating position thereby positioning the flexible bioprocess bag within the housing; feeding culture medium and cells into the flexible bioprocess bag; and cultivating the cells in the flexible bioprocess bag. 
     A flexible bioprocess bag for holding fluids loadable in a support housing is disclosed. The flexible bioprocess bag comprises at least one interface plate, an interface plate comprising at least one fluid connection to interior of the flexible bioprocess bag, wherein the flexible bioprocess bag in a folded configuration exposes the interface plate such that the interface plate is attachable to an interface retainer on a supporting part of the support housing, the flexible bioprocess bag extends in a dimension along the supporting part while remaining unfolded narrower than the width of the supporting part; and a mating retaining member attachable to a retainer provided at the supporting part. One advantage with the disclosed is that the bag loading process becomes more convenient because the flexible bioprocess bag can be easily placed on the supporting part in the horizontal orientation. All tube or cable connections to the flexible bioprocess bag and connection to a driving unit of the flexible bioprocess bag can be done at floor level by the operator which avoids climbing on top of the bioreactor. 
     A flexible bioprocess bag comprising a first mixing unit configured for agitating a content of the flexible bioprocess bag and a second mixing unit, adjacent to a sparging unit, and configured for controlling the size and distribution of bubbles emanating from the sparging unit, is further disclosed. 
     Further, a support housing for a flexible bioprocess bag is disclosed, comprising a first drive unit and a second drive unit for connecting and driving a first mixing unit and a second mixing unit in a flexible bioprocess bag when mounted in said support housing, wherein said first drive unit is provided on a side wall or side wall segment of said support housing and wherein said second drive unit is provided on a bottom wall or bottom wall segment of said support housing. 
     A more complete understanding of the present invention, as well as further features and advantages thereof, will be obtained by reference to the following detailed description and drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1   a    illustrates a support housing including a side wall and a supporting part in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG.  1   b    illustrates a side view of the support housing illustrated in  FIG.  1     a;    
         FIG.  1   c    illustrates the support housing of  FIG.  1   a    having the supporting part in an extended position; 
         FIG.  1   d    illustrates a support housing including a side wall having a first segment and the second segment in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG.  1   e    illustrates a support housing including a side wall having a first segment and the second segment in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG.  1   f    illustrates a base segment tiltably movable with respect to the first segment according to an exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG.  1   g    illustrates a support housing having a first segment that is collapsible according to an exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG.  1   h    illustrates a support housing having a first segment comprising a first portion and a second portion according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG.  1   i    illustrates a support housing having a first segment comprising a first portion, a second portion and a third portion according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG.  1   j    illustrates a support housing having a first segment that is collapsible with a stand for supporting the first segment according to an exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG.  2    illustrates a flexible bioprocess bag capable of holding fluid and other contents according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG.  3    illustrates a support housing having a retainer in a supporting part according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG.  4    illustrates a flexible bioprocess bag according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG.  5    illustrates an operator loading the flexible bioprocess bag on a supporting part of a support housing according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG.  6    illustrates the flexible bioprocess bag of  FIG.  5    loaded in the support housing according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG.  7    illustrates a port of the flexible bioprocess bag of  FIG.  5    according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG.  8   a    illustrates a support housing for holding a flexible bioprocess bag according to an exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG.  8   b    illustrates an opening of the supporting part of the support housing according to an embodiment; 
         FIG.  8   c    illustrates an opening of the supporting part of the support housing according to an embodiment; 
         FIG.  9    illustrates a support housing having a receiver for holding a bag interface plate of the flexible bioprocess bag according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG.  10    illustrates a support housing having tube trenches for receiving and holding tubes connected to the support housing according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG.  11    illustrates a support housing having a supporting part having multiple receivers capable of receiving mixing units of the flexible bioprocess bag according to an embodiment; 
         FIG.  12    illustrates a flexible bioprocess bag having multiple mixing units to be arranged on the supporting part of  FIG.  11   ; 
         FIG.  13    illustrates an exemplary flexible bioprocess bag arranged in a support housing according to an embodiment; 
         FIG.  14    illustrates a support housing for holding a flexible bioprocess bag according to an embodiment; 
         FIG.  15    illustrates a support housing having a first segment (i.e. the supporting part) that is operably connected to the second segment according to an embodiment; 
         FIG.  16    illustrates a flow diagram of a method of providing a flexible bioprocess bag in a support housing according to an embodiment; 
         FIG.  17    illustrates a method for cultivating cells in a flexible bioprocess bag arranged in a support housing according to an exemplary embodiment; and 
         FIG.  18    illustrates an exemplary flexible bioprocess bag according to an embodiment. 
         FIG.  19    illustrates computerized fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations of mixing in a vessel with  a ),  c ),  e ) a bottom-mounted impeller and  b ),  d ),  f ) a side wall-mounted impeller. 
         FIG.  20    illustrates the flow pattern from the CFD simulation of the side wall-mounted impeller of  FIG.  19   b   ),  d ) and  f ). 
         FIG.  21    illustrates a flexible bioprocess bag with first and second mixing units, mounted in a support housing with first and second drive units, according to certain embodiments. 
         FIG.  22    illustrates a flexible bioprocess bag with first and second mixing units, during mounting in a support housing with first and second drive units, according to certain embodiments. 
         FIG.  23    illustrates a sparging unit with a second mixing unit according to certain embodiments. 
         FIG.  24    illustrates a support housing and a flexible bioprocess bag with multiple mixing units mounted on a single shaft.  a ) closed (working) position,  b ) open (loading) position. 
         FIG.  25    illustrates a support housing and a flexible bioprocess bag with multiple mixing units mounted on a single shaft.  a ) closed (working) position,  b ) open (loading) position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments that may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical, mechanical and other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the embodiments. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken as limiting the scope of the invention. 
     As discussed in detail below, embodiments of a support housing for a flexible bioprocess bag, wherein the flexible bioprocess bag can be loaded in the support housing in an easy way with good ergonomics for the operator. This is achieved by the support housing comprising a side wall having a wall portion movable between an open position and a closed position. A supporting part of the support housing is arranged to be translatable from an operating position to a form a bag loading position. The supporting part may tiltably translate between a vertical orientation and a horizontal orientation. The supporting part comprises one or more retainers for holding the flexible bioprocess bag upon re-translation of the supporting part to the operating position and movement of the wall portion to the closed position. 
       FIGS.  1   a - 1   h    shows schematically different embodiments of a support housing in accordance with the invention. According to one embodiment of the invention, a support housing is provided, which comprises a side wall and a supporting part. The support housing (hereinafter referred to as housing) may be in a vertical orientation. The side wall includes a bottom wall and a side vertical wall defining together an internal volume in an operating position. A portion of the side wall is movable between an open and closed position. The portion of the side wall is opened and the supporting part is translatable from an operating position to a bag loading position. A flexible bioprocess bag, for example, is placed on the supporting part and is held by one or more retainers. The flexible bioprocess bag may be capable of holding ingredients that can be mixed for getting an end product, e.g. cells. However, it may be envisioned that the flexible bioprocess bag can be used to store any ingredients, such as solutions and any fluids and if necessary can be mixed to form any mixture. Upon re-translating the supporting part to the operating orientation and closing of the portion of the side wall, the flexible bioprocess bag is securely held within the housing. In another embodiment, the flexible bioprocess bag may be a standalone bag that can be used for storing ingredients (such as solutions and fluids). Alternatively, the flexible bioprocess bag can be placed in any mixing tank, mixing container and so on. 
     In all embodiments shown in  FIGS.  1   a - 1   h   , the side wall is shown to have a cylindrical shape, however the geometrical design can be varied and still be covered by this invention. For example, a box shaped part of the housing and flexible bioprocess bag is feasible and rectangular walls may be employed for construction of the bag and housing. Other shapes and geometries of the side walls and internal volumes of the flexible bioprocess bag and the housing are feasible as well as combinations thereof, for example rectangular, triangular, hexagonal, Reuleaux triangle shaped, etc. 
     As shown in  FIG.  1   a   , a support housing  100  (hereinafter referred to as housing  100 ) includes a side wall  102  and a supporting part  104  according to an embodiment of the invention. The housing  100  may be vertically oriented. The housing as shown in  FIG.  1   a    may be at an elevated position from the ground. The side wall  102  comprises a bottom wall  106  and a side vertical wall  108 . The side vertical wall  108  comprises a wall portion movable between an open and closed position. In an embodiment, the side vertical wall  108  comprises a first segment  110  movable in relation to a second segment  112  between an open and a closed position. The first segment  110  may extend throughout the height of the side wall  102 . In another embodiment, the first segment may not extend throughout the height of the side wall  102  and may extend only to a portion of side wall  102 . The first segment  110  may be movably or operably connected to the second segment  112  using different connection means  114 . The connection means  114  may be for example, a hinged connection, a pivot connection, a mechanical actuator, a pneumatic actuator, an electrical actuator, a folding arm actuator and so on. In some exemplary embodiments, the first segment can be connected to the second segment using a combination of different connections means. The first segment  110  is moved to the open position and the supporting part  104  is translatable to a bag loading position. In an embodiment, the supporting part  104  is tiltably translatable from a vertical orientation to a horizontal orientation. For example, the supporting part  104  tiltably translates or moves at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis ‘A’. In the horizontal orientation, the supporting part  104  may be oriented parallel to the ground forming a table configuration. The supporting part  104  is oriented at 90° angle from the longitudinal axis ‘A’. Further, a base segment  116  of the base wall  106  may be translatable to a position vertically oriented to the supporting part  104 . In another embodiment, the base segment  116  may be oriented at different angles with respect to the supporting part  104 . The base segment  116  includes an opening  117  for receiving an end portion of a flexible bioprocess bag that needs to be loaded in the housing  100 . To load the flexible bioprocess bag in the housing  100 , the flexible bioprocess bag is placed on the supporting part  104  by an operator  118 . This is called a loading position of the supporting part  104 . As illustrated in  FIG.  1   a   , the operator  118  can stand on the ground and conveniently load the flexible bioprocess bag on the supporting part  104  which offers good ergonomics for the operator  118 . In an embodiment, the supporting part  104  may have a landing gear  120  that can position the supporting part  104  in the horizontal orientation. As shown in  FIG.  1   a   , in an exemplary embodiment, the landing gear  120  may include two elongated members having an end touching or resting on the ground and vertically oriented to support the supporting part  104 . The landing gear  120  can be folded into the supporting part  104  when not needed. In an alternate embodiment, the landing gear  120  may be detachable from the supporting part  104 . Moreover, in some embodiments, the length of the landing gear  120  can be adjusted to change the orientation and position of the supporting part  104 . More specifically, the length of each member of the landing gear  120  can be elongated or shortened to adjust the orientation of the supporting part  104 . The orientation can vary from a horizontal orientation to any angular orientation with respect to a horizontal plane. The landing gear  120  shown in  FIG.  1   a    is a mere exemplary representation, and it may be envisioned that the landing gear  120  may have any other structural arrangement and can perform the same function of positioning the supporting part  104  in desired position. 
     In an embodiment, the supporting part  104  may be connected to the side wall  102  (either the first segment  110  or the bottom wall  106 ) such that the supporting part  104  is movable in relation to the side wall  102 . The supporting part  104  may be movably or operably connected to the side wall  102  using different operating means. The operating means may be for example, a hinged joint, a pivot joint, a mechanical actuator, a pneumatic actuator, an electrical actuator, a folding arm actuator and so on. In some exemplary embodiments, the supporting part  104  may be connected to the side wall using a combination of different operating means. In an embodiment, the supporting part  104  may be connected to the bottom wall  106  using one or more hinge joints for example, a hinge joint  122 . The hinge joint  122  is extendible as shown in  FIG.  1   c   . In  FIG.  1   b    the hinge joint  122  is in a folded or collapsed position. In an embodiment, there may be only one hinge joint connecting the supporting part  104  to the bottom wall  106 . In another embodiment, there may be two or more hinge joints connecting the supporting part  104  to the bottom wall  106 . The hinge joint  122  can be foldable and extendible as shown in  FIG.  1   c   . The hinge joint  122  includes two arms, such as arms  124 - 1  and  124 - 2 , which can move to align substantially in a straight line. When aligned in the straight line, the hinge joint  122  is extended to allow the supporting part  104  to be pulled away from the housing  100 . This makes the supporting part  104  more accessible to the user. The hinge joint  122  can be folded for pushing back the supporting part  104  into position, and then can be lifted to close the housing  100 . Even though the hinge joint  122  is shown to be foldable and extendible according to an embodiment, it can be envisioned that there can be other hinge means, for example, but not limited to, a telescopic hinge and an offset hinge which can perform the similar function of the hinge joint  122  and can be incorporated in the housing  100  according to various embodiments within the scope of this disclosure. 
     The supporting part  104  can be positioned at different angles with respect to a horizontal plane. In an embodiment the supporting part  104  is tiltably translatable to an inclination angle less than 45° from the horizontal plane to form the bag loading position. In another embodiment, the supporting part  104  may be translated to a position such that the supporting part  104  is at a height measuring less than 150 cm from the ground. The height from the ground may refer to a distance between an end portion  128  of the supporting part  104  and ground. However, in various embodiments, the supporting part  104  may be translated and positioned at different angles with respect to the ground or the horizontal plane or at different heights from the ground, by the operator  118  depending on operator&#39;s convenience. As explained earlier the operating means facilitates the supporting part  104  to be positioned at different angles or different heights. The operating means may include a functional means that enables the supporting part  104  to halt and stay at any desired angle or height without any external support when translated. The functional means may be for example, a stopper, a locking unit and so on that locks the supporting part  104  at desired position. The operator  118  can enter the housing  100  once the supporting part  104  and the first segment  110  are sufficiently opened to access the interior of the housing  100 . As explained earlier, the landing gear  120  also provides additional support to the supporting part  104  for staying in the desired position. The user can step on the supporting part  104  and access the interior of the housing  100 . When not in use, the landing gear  120  can be folded and positioned as part of the supporting part  104 . 
     The supporting part  104  may have sufficient width and length to accommodate the flexible bioprocess bag. For example, the supporting part  104  may have sufficient width and a curved profile to securely hold the flexible bioprocess bag. The flexible bioprocess bag may be fastened to the supporting part  104  by one or more retainers. The retainer may be a clipping unit, a hook and loop unit, snap fit unit, a holder, a snapping belt and so on. The retainers ensure that the flexible bioprocess bag is securely positioned in place. However, in various embodiments different types of retainers may be used for holding the flexible bioprocess bag on the supporting part  104 . 
     In an embodiment, the supporting part  104  may include flap members along its sides such a flap member  126 - 1  and a flap member  126 - 2  (i.e. retainers). The flap member  126 - 1  may extend along a side  129  of the supporting part  104  and the flap member  126 - 2  may extend along a side  130  of the supporting part  104 . In an embodiment, the flap members  126 - 1  and  126 - 2  may extend along only a portion of respective sides  129  and  130 . Once the flexible bioprocess bag is placed on the supporting part  104  and laid down properly, the flap members  126 - 1  and  126 - 2  can be folded to securely position or confine the flexible bioprocess bag on the supporting part  104 . The supporting part  104  can be lifted to close the housing  100 . The flap members  126 - 1  and  126 - 2  prevent pinching or tearing of the flexible bioprocess bag by the edges of the second segment  112  when the supporting part  104  is moved to closing position. Once the flexible bioprocess bag is inflated, the flap members  126 - 1  and  126 - 2  can be aligned such that it is properly positioned within the housing  100 . More specifically, the flap members  126 - 1  and  126 - 2  may open-up when the flexible bioprocess bag is inflated. In an embodiment, the flap members  126 - 1  and  126 - 2  may be made of a material that makes it flexible for opening-up and folding. Moreover, it may be envisioned that in other embodiments, the supporting part  104  may have any other arrangements such as, a Velcro tape, snap fit members, securing belts and so on for securing the flexible bioprocess bag on the supporting part  104 . 
     The operator  118  standing on the ground can make the connections to the flexible bioprocess bag placed on the supporting part  104  (oriented in the table configuration). This makes the bag loading process convenient for the operator  118  resulting in better user experience. Making the connections include but is not limited to, connecting tubes and valves to different ports of the flexible bioprocess bag. The ports of the flexible bioprocess bag may be one or more input ports and one or more exhaust ports which are explained in detail with respect to  FIGS.  4 ,  6  and  7   . The ports may include for example, one or more liquid ports, one or more gas ports and one or more exhaust ports. The exhaust ports may be provided at a top end portion of the flexible bioprocess bag, and one or more gas ports and the liquid ports may be provided at a bottom end portion of the flexible bioprocess bag. In another embodiment, the liquid ports, gas ports and exhaust ports may be provided at the bottom end portion or bottom of the flexible bioprocess bag. However, it may be envisioned that the liquid ports, exhaust ports and gas ports may be provided at any portion of the flexible bioprocess bag in various embodiments to make it convenient for loading the flexible bioprocess bag within the scope of this disclosure. Further, placing the flexible bioprocess bag on the supporting part  104  is discussed later in the subsequent figures. In an embodiment, the supporting part may have a tube management structure for example, but not limited to channels or trenches, for holding the tubes and connectors in order to prevent entangling of these tubes or connectors. The supporting part  104  can be translated to the vertical orientation in the housing  100 , once the bag loading process is completed. This is called an operating position of the supporting part  104 . In the operating position, the flexible bioprocess bag is positioned within the housing  100  and oriented in a vertical manner. The supporting part  104  and the first segment  110  are provided with an interface retainer  132  and an opening  134  respectively, that enable access to input and output ports of the flexible bioprocess bag and facilitate connecting tubes to some of these ports. The input and output ports and process of loading the flexible bioprocess bag on the supporting part of the housing are explained in detail in later figures. 
     In an embodiment, the housing  100  may include sensor(s) for monitoring different operations such as, opening and closing of the housing  100  and movement of the supporting part  104 . The sensor(s) may be arranged in the side wall  102 . The sensor(s) may be for example, but are not limited to, proximity sensors, proximity sensors with feedback mechanism, an electric circuit closure sensor, position sensor and force sensors. To detect if the supporting part  104  is in a vertical orientation or horizontal orientation or any angular orientation, a sensor  136  may be used according to an embodiment. The sensor  136  may be arranged in the supporting part  104  to determine its angular position. When the supporting part  104  is in the vertical orientation, the sensor  136  may inform a control unit  138  that it is in the vertical orientation. Consequently, the housing  100  can be closed using the first segment  110 . The control unit  138  controls the opening and closing of the first segment  110 . In another embodiment, the first segment  110  may be manually closed by the operator  118 . In this embodiment, the control unit  138  may inform the operator  118  that the supporting part  104  is in the vertical orientation. 
     The housing  100  may also include a sensor for example, a sensor  140  for determining if the housing  100  is closed properly. The sensor  140  may be positioned in the side wall  102  at a location closer to the first segment  110  when it is in the closed position. However, it may be envisioned that one or more sensors can be arranged in any other location in the housing  100 . The sensor  140  can detect if an edge of the first segment  110  reached closer to a periphery  142  of the side wall  102  to determine if the housing  100  is closed properly. In case the housing  100  is not closed, the control unit  138  can inform the operator  118 . The operator  118  can manually close the housing  100 . Alternatively, the control unit  138  can control movement of the first segment  110  to close the housing  100 . Even though the sensors  136  and  140  are illustrated to be present in the housing  100 , it can be envisioned that in certain embodiments, the functions performed by both these sensors can be performed by a single sensor or multiple different sensors arranged in the housing  100  within the scope of this disclosure. 
     In an embodiment, there may be sensor(s) capable of determining any obstacles in the path of movement of the supporting part  104  and the first segment  110 . For example, sensors  136  and  140  can act as proximity sensors to determine the presence of objects near to the supporting part  104  and the first segment  110 . When an object is detected in the path of movement of the supporting part  104  or the first segment  110 , respective sensors  136  and  140  communicate with the control unit  138  to halt their movement. In another embodiment, the control unit  138  may inform the presence of obstacle, and the operator  118  can manually stop the movement of the supporting part  104  or the first segment  110 . Other than a proximity sensor, others sensors used may be for example, but not limited to, a collision detection sensor. There may be a single sensor or multiple sensors arranged in the housing  100  to determine any obstacles or detect any collision. It may be noted that the embodiments of the housing described in  FIGS.  1   d - 1   j    may have similar sensors even though it is not explicitly described or illustrated in these figures. The control unit  138  and the sensors such as, sensors  136  and  140  can together form a control system. 
     In an embodiment, the housing  100  may include sensor(s) positioned in different locations to identify the position of the retainers used for securing the flexible bioprocess bag. For example, the sensors are arranged in the supporting part  104  such that it can determine whether the flap members  126 - 1  and  126 - 2  are in a folded condition or open condition. In another example, the retainers may be snap fit members wound around the flexible bioprocess bag placed on the supporting part  104 . The sensors can determine if the snap fit members are positioned around the flexible bioprocess bag. Here the sensors used may be proximity sensors and may be arranged in the snap fit members. If the sensors determine that the snap fit members are not proximal to the flexible bioprocess bag, then it indicates that the snap fit members are not wound around the flexible bioprocess bag. The sensors may communicate with the control unit  138  and inform the operator that the retainers are not properly positioned to secure the flexible bioprocess bag. In other embodiments, the different sensors such as, optical sensor, radio frequency sensor and RFID sensor may be used to determine if the retainers are properly securing the flexible bioprocess bag on the supporting part  104  within the scope of this disclosure. 
     There may be other sensors that may be capable of monitoring the different steps involved in bag loading the housing  100 . The steps include orienting the supporting part  104  in the horizontal orientation, securing the flexible on the supporting part  104 , orienting the supporting part  104  in the vertical orientation and closing the housing  100 . The orientation of the supporting part  104  and the first segment  110  may be determined by the sensor  136  and the sensor  140  respectively. These sensors communicate with the control unit  138  to monitor and control the different steps in bag loading. 
     In the embodiments described in relation to  FIGS.  1   d - 1   j   , some parts are identical to the parts of the embodiment described in  FIG.  1   a - c    and those parts will have the same reference numbers and will not be described in detail again. 
       FIG.  1   d    illustrates a support housing  200  (hereinafter referred to as housing  200 ) including a side wall  102  having a first segment  202  and the second segment  112  according to an embodiment of the invention. The first segment  202  is tiltably movable in relation to the second segment  112  according to an embodiment. The first segment  202  may be operably connected to the second segment  112  using a connection means in an embodiment. The connection means in both these embodiments may be for example, a hinged unit, a pivot unit, a mechanical actuator, a pneumatic actuator, an electrical actuator, a folding arm actuator and so on. In some exemplary embodiments, the first segment  202  may be connected to the second segment  112  using a combination of different connection means. The first segment  202  is tiltably movable to an open position. In an embodiment the first segment  202  may be tiltably movable to be substantially parallel to the ground. In another embodiment, the first segment  202  may be aligned at an angle less than 45° with respect to the horizontal plane. However, in other embodiments the first segment  202  can be tilted at different angles with respect to the horizontal plane or the ground, by the operator  118  based on requirement. After opening the first segment  202 , a supporting part  204  can be tiltably moved to the horizontal orientation i.e., oriented parallel to the ground. The supporting part  204  may rest on the first segment  202  which acts as a support. Alternatively, the supporting part  204  may be oriented parallel to the ground as a table configuration without the support of the first segment  202 . The first segment  202  may be oriented at different angles with respect to the ground. The flexible bioprocess bag can be placed on the supporting part  204  for loading in the housing  200 . The supporting part  204  and the first segment  202  are provided with an interface retainer  206  and an opening  208  respectively, that enable access to input and output ports of the flexible bioprocess bag and facilitate connecting tubes to some of these ports. The input and output ports are explained in detail later figures. 
     Now,  FIG.  1   e    shows schematically a support housing  300  (hereinafter referred to as housing  300 ) including a side wall  102  having a first segment  302  and the second segment  112  according to an embodiment of the invention. The supporting part is described in  FIG.  1   a - 1   d    as a separate unit however in this embodiment the supporting part is integral to the first segment  302 . In other words, the first segment  302  may have a same structure as the supporting part and performs the same function. The first segment  302  is tiltably translatable with respect to the side wall  102  so that it is positioned in a horizontal orientation parallel to the ground. In an embodiment, the first segment  302  may be operably connected to the second segment  112  using a connection means. In another embodiment, the first segment  302  may be operably connected to the bottom wall  106  using another connection means. The connection means may be for example, a hinged unit, a pivot unit, a mechanical actuator, a pneumatic actuator, an electrical actuator, folding arm actuator and so on. In some exemplary embodiments, the first segment  302  can be operably connected to the second segment  112  or the bottom wall  106  using a combination of different connection means. In an embodiment, the first segment  302  may be translated to an angle less than 45° with respect to the horizontal plane. However, in other embodiments the first segment  302  can be tilted at different angles with respect to the horizontal plane or the ground, by the operator (e.g. the operator  118 ) based on the operator&#39;s convenience. The connection means may include a functional means that enables the first segment  302  to halt and stay at any desired angle with respect to the ground or the horizontal plane without any external support when translated. The functional means may be a stopper, a locking unit and so on that locks the first segment  302  at desired position. 
     The flexible bioprocess bag is placed on the first segment  302 . The first segment  302  may have flap members similar to that explained in conjunction with  FIG.  1   a    even though not illustrated in  FIG.  1   e    for securely positioning or confining the flexible bioprocess bag on the first segment  302 . In another embodiment, there may be retainers that help in securely positioning the flexible bioprocess bag on the first segment  302 . Moreover, as illustrated in  FIG.  1   e   , the first segment  302  may have sufficient width for securely holding the flexible bioprocess bag. The first segment  302  can be retranslated to a vertical orientation so that the flexible bioprocess bag is positioned within the housing  300 . 
     A portion of the bottom wall  106  may be also movable to a vertical orientation or towards a vertical plane. As illustrated in  FIG.  1   e   , a base segment  304  represents the portion of the bottom wall  106 . In an embodiment, the base segment  304  is connected to the first segment  302  such that the base segment  304  also moves along with the first segment  302 . For example, the base segment  304  is fixed to the first segment  302 . Alternatively, the base segment  304  and the first segment  302  form a single unit. Thus, when the first segment  302  is translated to a position parallel to the ground or aligned to the horizontal plane, the base segment  304  may align to a vertical plane. The first segment  302  and the base segment  304  may form an L-shaped configuration. In other words, the base segment  304  may be aligned at an angle less than or equal to 90° or greater than 90° with respect to the first segment  302 . It may be envisioned that the base segment  304  may be aligned at different angles with respect to the first segment  302  according to some embodiments. The base segment  304  includes a mating retainer  306 . The flexible bioprocess bag can have an end connected to the mating retainer  306 . The mating retainer  306  provides assistance in positioning or retaining the flexible bioprocess bag within the housing  300 . This is further explained in conjunction with  FIGS.  2  and  3   . The first segment  302  is operatively connected to the base segment  304  using an operating means such as the operating means  122  in the housing  100  even though it is not illustrated in  FIG.  1   e   . The operating means may be extendable as shown in  FIGS.  1   a - c   , to enable the first segment  302  to be pulled out from the housing  300  so that the flexible bioprocess bag can be placed on the first segment  302 . The first segment  302  can be pushed back and then translated to a vertical position for closing the housing  300 . Such an operating means enables the first segment  302  to move further away from the housing  300  thereby making it convenient for the user to load the flexible bioprocess bag. The first segment  302  includes an interface retainer  308  for connecting to an interface plate of the flexible bioprocess bag. Connecting the interface plate to the interface retainer  308  assists in the holding the flexible bioprocess bag on the first segment  302  (i.e. supporting part). 
     In an embodiment, a base segment is operably connected to a first segment. As schematically illustrated in  FIG.  1   f   , a base segment  400  is tiltably movable with respect to the first segment  302 . The base segment  400  may be operably connected to the first segment  302 . The base segment  400  may also include a mating retainer  402 , similar to the interface retainer  308  in the housing  300 , for performing the same function. In an embodiment, the base segment  400  is operably connected to the first segment  302  using an operating means, such as but not limited to, a hinged unit, a pivot unit, a mechanical actuator, a pneumatic actuator, an electrical actuator, a folding arm actuator and so on. In some exemplary embodiments, the base segment  400  can be operably connected to the first segment  302  using a combination of different operating means. The base segment  400  may be oriented at an angle equal to 45° with respect to a horizontal axis  404 . However, the base segment  400  can be positioned at different angles with respect to the first segment  302 . During bag loading, the base segment  400  can be positioned at different angles for placing the flexible bioprocess bag on the first segment  302  and connecting to the base segment  400 . The base segment  400  may be re-translatable to be parallel to the ground or aligned to the horizontal axis  404 . During operation after loading the flexible bioprocess bag, the first segment  302  is moved to a vertical orientation. Simultaneously, the base segment  400  also moves to a horizontal orientation or aligns to the horizontal axis  404  along with the first segment  302 . In another embodiment, the base segment  400  is independently movable parallel to the horizontal axis  404  by the operator. 
     In the housings shown in  FIGS.  1   a - f   , the flexible bioprocess bag can be placed on the supporting part. A first end of the flexible bioprocess bag may be connected to an upper edge of the supporting part and a second end of the flexible bioprocess bag may be connected to the base segment of the housing. When the housing is closed, the flexible bioprocess bag remains connected to the upper edge and the base segment, for it to be positioned within the housing. 
       FIG.  1   g    schematically illustrates a support housing  500  (hereinafter referred to as housing  500 ) having a first segment  502  that is collapsible according to an exemplary embodiment. The first segment  502  may be collapsible and extendable in a longitudinal direction. In an embodiment, the first segment  502  is tiltably movable with respect to the second segment  112 . The first segment  502  can be collapsed and then tiltably moved to position it substantially parallel to the horizontal plane. Thereafter, the first segment  502  can be extended to form a bag loading support surface. In an exemplary embodiment as illustrated in  FIG.  1   g   , the first segment  502  may have a first portion  504  and a second portion  506 . The first portion  504  may slide with respect to the second portion  506  to collapse the first segment  502 . The first portion  504  may have a sliding unit and the second portion  506  may have a sliding rail (not shown in  FIG.  1   g    only for ease of representation) in an exemplary embodiment. The sliding unit may run through the sliding rail enabling the first portion  504  to slide over the second portion  506 . In other embodiments, there can be any other arrangements that facilitate the sliding movement or collapsing movement of the first portion  504  over the second portion  506 . In an embodiment a retainer  508  may be used to move the first portion  504  slidably over the second portion  506 . The collapsed first segment  502  can be tiltably moved to be arranged parallel to the horizontal plane. Thereafter, the first portion  504  can be slid again over the second portion  506  to extend the first segment  502  to attain a bag loading position. Here, the first segment  502  acts as the supporting part for holding the flexible bioprocess bag on it. Even though, the first segment  502  is discussed to have two portions which can collapse, it may be envisioned that the first segment  502  can have more than two portions which can collapse in different ways and then extend to form a table like configuration enabling the operator to load the flexible bioprocess bag standing on the ground in various exemplary embodiments. The housing  500  includes a bottom wall  510  having a portion i.e., a base segment  512  which is operably coupled to the first segment  502 . The base segment  512  may be operably connected to the second portion  506 . The base segment  512  includes a mating retainer  514 . The second portion  506  of the first segment  502  includes an interface retainer  516 . 
       FIG.  1   h    schematically illustrates a support housing  600  (hereinafter referred to as housing  600 ) having a first segment  602  comprising a first portion  604  and a second portion  606 , according to an embodiment of the invention. The first portion  604  and the second portion  606  may slide over the second segment  112  to open the housing  600  as illustrated in  FIG.  1   h   . The first portion  604  and the second portion  606  may slide separately in a transverse direction. The second segment  112  may have one or more sliding rails and the first portion  604  and the second portion  606  may have respective sliding units that slide over corresponding sliding rails to facilitate the sliding movement. Further, in an embodiment, sliding rails and sliding units may be provided along a periphery of the first portion  604  and the second portion  606  to enable movement between these two portions. However, it may be envisioned that the first portion  604  and the second portion  606  can be arranged in different configurations and opened in multiple different ways according to various exemplary embodiments of the invention. Once the housing  600  is opened, a supporting part  608  may be tiltably moved to form a table configuration. In the table configuration as described earlier, the supporting part  608  is positioned parallel to the ground or aligned to a horizontal plane. The supporting part  104  may include a holding means  610 . 
       FIG.  1   i    schematically illustrates a support housing  700  (hereinafter referred to as housing  700 ) having a first segment  702  comprising a first portion  704 , a second portion  706  and a third portion  708  according to an embodiment of the invention. As illustrated, the first portion  704  is movable between an open and closed position in a transverse direction. The first portion  704  may be operably connected to the second segment  112  using a connection means such as for example, a hinged connection, a pivot connection, a mechanical actuator, a pneumatic actuator, an electrical actuator, folding arm actuator and so on. The connection means is not illustrated in  FIG.  1   i    only for sake convenience of representation. In some exemplary embodiments, the first segment can be connected to the second segment using a combination of different connections means. The second portion  706  may slide over the third portion  708  to open the housing  700 . The second portion  706  and the third portion  708  may slide separately. The third portion  708  may have a sliding rail on it and the second portion  706  may have a sliding unit (not shown in  FIG.  1   i    only for ease of representation) in an exemplary embodiment. The sliding unit may run through the sliding rail so that the second portion  706  slides over the third portion  708 . In other exemplary embodiments, there can be any other arrangements that facilitate the sliding movement or collapsing movement of the second portion  706  over the third portion  708 . It may be envisioned that the first portion  704 , the second portion  706  and the third portion  708  can be arranged in different configurations and thereby opened in multiple different combinations in various embodiments of the invention. It may be noted that the housing shown in different embodiments from  FIGS.  1   a - e    and  FIGS.  1   g - h    can have a retainer similar to the housing  600  of  FIG.  1   f    according to various embodiments, but is not illustrated in these figures. The housing  700  includes a bottom wall  710  having a portion i.e. a base segment  712  which is operably coupled to the first segment  702 . The base segment  712  may be operably connected to the third portion  708 . The base segment  712  includes a mating retainer  714 . The third portion  708  includes an interface retainer  716  which can receive an interface plate of a flexible bioprocess bag positioned within the housing  700 . 
       FIG.  1   j    illustrates a support housing  800  (hereinafter referred to as housing  800 ) having a first segment  802  comprising a first portion  804  and a second portion  806  according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The first segment  802  may be collapsible and extendable in a longitudinal direction. In an embodiment, the first segment  802  is tiltably movable with respect to the second segment  112  to position parallel to the horizontal plane. Thus, the first segment  802  forms a bag loading support surface. In an exemplary embodiment as illustrated in  FIG.  1   g   , the first segment  802  may have a first portion  804  and a second portion  806 . The first portion  804  may slide with respect to the second portion  806  to collapse the first segment  802 . The first portion  804  may have a sliding unit and the second portion  806  may have a sliding rail (not shown in  FIG.  1   g    only for ease of representation) in an exemplary embodiment. The sliding unit may run through the sliding rail enabling the first portion  804  to slide over the second portion  806 . In other embodiments, there can be any other arrangements that facilitate the sliding movement or collapsing movement of the first portion  804  over the second portion  806 . In an embodiment a retainer  808  may be used to move the first portion  804  slidably over the second portion  806 . The collapsed first segment  802  can be tiltably moved to be arranged parallel to the horizontal plane. Thereafter, the first portion  804  can be slid again over the second portion  806  to extend the first segment  802  to a bag loading position. Even though, the first segment  802  is discussed to have two portions which can collapse and extend, it may be envisioned that the first segment  802  can have more than two portions which can collapse in different ways and then extend to form a table like configuration enabling the operator to load the flexible bioprocess bag standing on the ground in various exemplary embodiments. 
     The housing  800  includes a bottom wall  810  having a portion i.e. a base segment  812  which is operably coupled to the first segment  802 . The base segment  812  may be operably connected to the second portion  806 . The base segment  812  includes a mating retainer  814 . The second portion  806  includes an interface retainer  816  which can receive an interface plate of a flexible bioprocess bag positioned within the housing  800 . 
     Further it may be noted that the side walls of the housing illustrated in  FIGS.  1   a - 1   j    may have a jacket configuration carrying liquids for transferring heat to ingredients in the flexible bioprocess bag according to an embodiment. The liquids flowing through the housing may be hot and may transfer appropriate heat to the ingredients. In an embodiment, the temperature of the liquids can be controlled so that desired heat is only transferred to the ingredients. In other embodiments, the side wall of the housing illustrated in  FIGS.  1   a - 1   j    may have heating coil as an integral part of the side wall for heating the ingredients. The heating coil is controlled so that only desired amount of heat is only transferred to the ingredients in the flexible bioprocess bag. 
     Turning now to  FIG.  2    illustrating a mixing system  900  capable of holding fluid and other ingredients and mixing the fluid and the ingredients according to an embodiment. The mixing system  900  includes a flexible bioprocess bag  902 , which can be for example, a flexible bioprocess bag used in a single use bioreactor. The flexible bioprocess bag  902  according to the invention may be used with a mixing unit  904 . The mixing unit  904  may be, for example, a fan shaped mixer, a magnetic impeller, an impeller unit and so on. The mixing unit  904  may be arranged at a bottom portion of the flexible bioprocess bag  902 . In another embodiment, the mixing unit  904  may be arranged at a side bottom portion of the flexible bioprocess bag  902 . However, it may be envisioned that the mixing unit  904  may be positioned at any other position at the bottom end portion of the flexible bioprocess bag  902  which would enable efficient mixing of the content according to various embodiments of the invention. Mixing of the fluids and contents is essential to enable proper interaction between the contents for further development of cell cultures. During the cell growth process, the fluids in the mixing bag (e.g. for a bioprocess application) must also be agitated in order to maintain uniform distribution of temperature, gases and nutrients. The flexible bioprocess bag  902  can be loaded into any of the housings illustrated in  FIGS.  1   a   - 1   i.    
     The operator needs to load the flexible bioprocess bag in the housing and the content needs to be filled in the bag. There are several challenges in loading the bag, however in the disclosed housing, as the flexible bioprocess bag is loaded at ground level (i.e. the operator can place the bioprocess in the housing while standing on ground) the loading process is more convenient. 
     Now moving to  FIG.  3   , the flexible bioprocess bag  902  can be placed on a supporting part  1000  in the table configuration for loading according to an exemplary embodiment. A first end portion  906  is connected to a base segment  1004  and a second end portion  908  of the flexible bioprocess bag  902  can be connected to a retainer  1002 . The first end portion  906  is opposite to the second end portion  908 . The flexible bioprocess bag  902  is connected to the retainer  1002  in a simple manner for illustrative purpose as shown in  FIG.  3    therefore there may be different ways to connect the flexible bioprocess bag to the retainer  1002  in various exemplary embodiments. In an exemplary embodiment, the flexible bioprocess bag  902  may have a mating retaining member that can be connected to the retainer  1002 . The mating retaining member may be provided in the second end portion  908  and slid into any slot provided in the retainer  1002 . In another embodiment, the mating retaining member may be snap fitted to the retainer  1002 . The supporting part  1000  may have retainers positioned along its sides for holding the flexible bioprocess bag  902  in place. In an embodiment, the supporting part  1000  may have flap members along the sides similar to the housing  100  of  FIG.  1   a   . These flap members act as retainers to confine the flexible bioprocess bag on the supporting part  1000 . The flexible bioprocess bag  902  may have the mixing unit  904  at the first end portion  906 . The mixing unit  904  is operably connected to a drive unit  1006  arranged at the base segment  1004 . In an embodiment, the drive unit  1006  is an integral part of the base segment  1004 . In another embodiment, the drive unit  1006  may be a separate unit that can be arranged to be held by the base segment  1004 . For example, the base segment  1004  may include a mating retainer  1008  for receiving the drive unit  1006 . The mating retainer  1008  may be a normal slit or an opening that can hold the drive unit  1006  according to an embodiment. Alternatively, the mating retainer may be a functional or operational unit that receives and facilitates the operation of the drive unit  1006 . The base segment  1004  is tiltably movable with respect the supporting part  1000 . The base segment  1004  can be oriented in a vertical manner or in other words, the base segment  1004  is positioned substantially perpendicular to the supporting part  1000 . While loading the flexible bioprocess bag, the mixing unit  904  is connected to the drive unit  1006  thereby connecting to the base segment  1004 . The supporting part  1000  is translated to a vertical orientation positioning the flexible bioprocess bag  902  in a vertical orientation. The base segment  1004  also moves to align with the horizontal plane. The base segment  1004  and the supporting part  1000  are independently movable. In the vertical orientation, the first end portion  906  is held or supported by the base segment  1004 . Further, the retainer  1002  also ensures that the flexible bioprocess bag  902  remains in the vertical orientation. During operation, liquids such as, buffer, base and other liquid contents may be fed into the flexible bioprocess bag  902  through the liquid port(s). The liquid port(s) may be connected to feed tubes which can be guided through one or more tube management structures (such as trenches) provided in the supporting part  1000  or a first segment of the housing or in the retainer  1002 . The gases needed for contents in the flexible bioprocess bag  902  are fed through the gas port(s). There may be exhaust gases that gets generated and needs to be directed out through exhaust port(s). The liquid port(s), gas port(s) and the exhaust port(s) may be located at a top end portion or bottom end portion or any other portion of the flexible bioprocess bag  902  which is convenient for loading the flexible bioprocess bag according to various embodiments. These ports are not shown in  FIG.  3    only for sake of convenience of representation, and hence the flexible bioprocess bag  902  may have multiple ports which are explained in detail in conjunction with  FIG.  4   . While loading, the tubes and other required units are connected to the exhaust port(s) and gas port(s) at ground level which makes it convenient for the user by avoiding the need for climbing to a height for accessing the top portion of the housing. 
       FIG.  4    illustrates the mixing system  900  according to an exemplary embodiment. Hereinafter  FIG.  4    is explained along with  FIGS.  5   a - e    to describe an exemplary way of loading the flexible bioprocess bag  902  in a support housing  1100  (hereinafter referred to as housing  1100 ). The flexible bioprocess bag  902  includes the first end portion  906  and the second end portion  908 . The flexible bioprocess bag  902  includes one or more liquid port(s) such as, a liquid port  910 - 1  and a liquid port  910 - 2 , one or more gas port(s) such as, a gas port  912 - 1  and a gas port  912 - 2  at the first end portion  906 . The liquid ports  910 - 1  and  910 - 2  are used for supplying liquids into the flexible bioprocess bag  902 . The liquids may include for example, buffers, base, culture medium and serum which facilitate cell growth in the flexible bioprocess bag  902 . The gas ports  912 - 1  and  912 - 2  are used to supply different gases such as but not limited to, oxygen, carbon dioxide and nitrogen into the flexible bioprocess bag  902 . For better cell growth certain concentration of dissolved oxygen and other gases must be maintained. It may be noted that only two gas ports (such as, gas ports  912 - 1  and  912 - 2 ) and two liquid ports (such as, liquid ports  910 - 1  and  910 - 2 ) are shown to be present in the flexible bioprocess bag  902 , however there can be more than two gas ports or more than two liquid ports in the flexible bioprocess bag  902  according to different exemplary embodiments. In an alternative embodiment, gas ports and/or liquid ports and respective lines are connected to the first end portion of the bag  902 . In an alternate embodiment, the flexible bioprocess bag  902  may have only one liquid port and one gas port. 
     Another efficient way of introducing gases into the flexible bioprocess bag  902  is sparging, which involves forming bubbles in the liquids. These bubbles have large surface to volume ratio and hence dissolves more quickly than large size bubbles. A sparger  914  (also called a sparging unit) may be positioned at the first end portion  906  proximal to the gas ports  912 - 1  and  912 - 2 , and liquid ports  910 - 1  and  910 - 2 . In an alternate embodiment, only one sparger for example, the sparger  914  may be present for supplying gases into the flexible bioprocess bag  902  and there may not be any gas ports such as, the gas ports  912 - 1  and  912 - 2 . Further, it may be also envisioned that the flexible bioprocess bag such as, the flexible bioprocess bag  902  may include more than one sparger for supplying different gases within the scope of this disclosure. These spargers may be located at different portions of the flexible bioprocess bag, so as to enable efficient mixing of the gases along with other contents for cell growth. In another embodiment, a sparger may be an integral part of the mixing unit  904 . Alternatively, the sparger may be located in the receiver  1008  of the base segment  1004  (illustrated in  FIG.  3   ) proximal to the mixing unit  904 . Alternatively, the gas ports such as, the gas ports  912 - 1  and  912 - 2  may be arranged proximal to the mixing unit  904 . 
     As different gases and liquids are added into the flexible bioprocess bag  902  there is a need to frequently measure different parameters that affect the growth of cells. The concentration of the gases and liquids can influence the cell growth rate. Hence, one or more sensors for example, a sensor  916 - 1  and a sensor  916 - 2  may be provided at the first end portion  906  of the flexible bioprocess bag  902 . The sensor  916 - 1  and the sensor  916 - 2  may be used to measure different parameters. The parameters may be for example, oxygen level, nitrogen level, carbon dioxide level, buffer level, base level, cell growth level, cell death and so on. Each of these parameters may have associated parameter thresholds. Thus, the sensors  916 - 1  and  916 - 2  may determine whether parameters are within their respective thresholds. The sensors hence facilitate in frequently monitoring the cell growth in the flexible bioprocess bag and maintaining all desired parameters. Even though, only two sensors are shown to be present in the flexible bioprocess bag  902 , there may be more than two sensors or only one sensor depending on the different parameters that need to be monitored according to various other embodiments within the scope of this disclosure. In an embodiment, the liquid ports (such as, the liquid port  910 - 1  and the liquid port  910 - 2 ), the gas ports (such as, the gas port  912 - 1  and  912 - 2 ) and the sensor ports (such as, the sensor port  916 - 1  and the sensor port  916 - 2 ) are held in an interface plate  918 . The interface plate  918  may have a lid  919  which covers it and can be opened. The lid  919  may open as shown in  FIG.  4    according to an embodiment; however it may be envisioned that in other embodiments, the lid may be collapsible to stay on the flexible bioprocess bag  900  or may be removed from the interface plate  918 . 
     During cell culture process, there can be unnecessary gases (i.e. exhaust gases) than need to be expelled out from the flexible bioprocess bag  902 . The flexible bioprocess bag  902  includes an exhaust port  920  that expels the exhaust gases from the flexible bioprocess bag  902 . The exhaust port  920  may be positioned at the second end portion  908 . The flexible bioprocess bag  902  is shown to include only one exhaust port  920  however there can be more than one exhaust port in the flexible bioprocess bag  902  according to other embodiments. The exhaust ports may be arranged at the second end portion  908  or the first end portion  906  or any other portion of the flexible bioprocess bag  902  based on convenience of expelling exhaust gases. The flexible bioprocess bag  902  can also include a gas port  922  at the first end portion  906 . The gas port  922  allows gas to be fed into the flexible bioprocess bag  902 . In an embodiment, the gas port  922  and the exhaust port  920  may be part of a mating retaining member. The mating retaining member can be connected to the retainer  1002 . The mating retaining member may be fastened or connected to the retainer  1002  in multiple different ways according to various embodiments. In an alternate embodiment, the mating retaining member having the ports (such as one or more gas ports and one or more exhaust ports) may be connected to a top end portion of a supporting part of a housing, for example, a housing  100 ,  200 ,  300 ,  400 ,  500 ,  600 ,  700  and  800  illustrated in  FIGS.  1   a - j   . The top end portion may have a coupling unit or a snapping unit for coupling or snapping the mating retaining member on to the supporting part. However, it may be envisioned that the top end portion may have any other connecting unit for connecting the mating retaining member to the supporting part and which can be disconnected when required by the operator to remove the flexible bioprocess bag according to various other embodiments. 
     Now the process of loading the flexible bioprocess bag  902  in the housing  1100  is illustrated in  FIGS.  5   a - e   . The operator  118  may carry the flexible bioprocess bag  902  arranged in a collapsed configuration according to an embodiment. The operator  118  places the flexible bioprocess bag  902  on a supporting part  1102  as shown in  FIG.  5   a   . The flexible bioprocess bag  902  may be in a collapsed configuration when placed on the supporting part  1102  according to an embodiment. Different patterns and schemes of folding or rolling the bag may be employed. In an embodiment, as shown in  FIG.  5   b - e   , the flexible bioprocess bag  902  may be folded in a Z-shaped manner. In another embodiment the flexible bioprocess bag  902  may be arranged in a rolled or reel configuration. However, it may be envisioned that the flexible bioprocess bag can be rolled or folded in various patterns, such as but not limited to, horizontally, vertically, diagonally, any different combinations, multiple folds, repetitive folded manner and so on. 
     The collapsed configuration enables the operator to conveniently place the flexible bioprocess bag  902  on the supporting part  1102 . The supporting part  1102  includes an interface retainer  1104 . The operator  118  unfolds the flexible bioprocess bag  902  as shown in  FIG.  5   b   . The interface plate  918  (shown in  FIG.  4    is not shown in  FIG.  5   a - e   ) having multiple ports is positioned in the interface retainer  1104 . In an embodiment, the interface plate  918  may be arranged or slid into a slot in the interface retainer  1104  so that it is securely positioned in place on the supporting part  1102 . In another embodiment, the interface plate  918  may be snap fitted into a slot in the interface retainer  1104 . Then for removing the flexible bioprocess bag, the snap fit connection can be released to disconnect the interface plate  918  from the interface retainer  1104 . It may be envisioned that the interface plate  918  can be securely positioned in the interface retainer  1104  using any other coupling mechanism or connecting mechanism without deviating from the scope of this disclosure. Few exemplary embodiments of the opening (e.g. the interface retainer  1104 ) are described with conjunction to  FIG.  8   . 
     The mixing unit  904  is connected to a drive unit (for example the driving unit  1002 ) arranged in a base segment  1106  as shown in  FIG.  5   c   . The driving unit is arranged in a mating retainer  1110  of the base segment  1106  (shown in  FIG.  5   a   ). The base segment  1106  provides additional support for positioning the flexible bioprocess bag  902  on the supporting part  1102 . The second end portion  908  of the flexible bioprocess bag  902  is connected to a retainer  1108  as illustrated in  FIG.  5   d   . The retainer  1108  holds the flexible bioprocess bag  902  in position on the supporting part  1102 . The retainer may be designed in various configurations and the shown example is only schematic. The retainer may be designed as a single rod, plate or as a plate covering a larger or substantially the total top surface of the vessel and bag. The retainer  1108  may not be rigid, but have a hinged, (un-foldable) or telescopic design and may support multiple functions of holding and fasten other components than the bag itself. The retainer  1108  may also facilitate in unfolding the flexible bioprocess bag  902 . For example, the flexible bioprocess bag  902  may be in the roll or reel configuration around a roller member. An end portion of the flexible bioprocess bag  902  may be attached to the roller member and the bag may be rolled around the roller member. The ends of the roller member may be connected to the retainer  1108  and the mixing unit  904  is connected to the mating retainer  1110 . The retainer  1108  can move along the supporting part  1102  (even though not shown in  FIG.  5   a - e    but illustrated in  FIG.  8   a   ), to roll the roller member so that flexible bioprocess bag  902  unfolds on the supporting part  1102 . Here there is not user assistance needed for unfolding or unrolling the flexible bioprocess bag  902 . Alternatively, the roller member can be rolled manually by the user to unfold the flexible bioprocess bag and then roller member can be removed. When the flexible bioprocess bag is rolled there can be reduced mechanical stress or material failure and crack as compared to being folded. 
     Further, the supporting part  1102  may include other retainers (not shown in  FIGS.  5   a - e   ) that may be used to fasten the flexible bioprocess bag  902  and hold it in place according to another embodiment. In another embodiment, the supporting part  1102  may have flap members along its sides for securely positioning the flexible bioprocess bag  902 . The flap members are described in conjunction with  FIGS.  1   a - c   . The mating retainer  1110  of the base segment  1106  may also receive the sparger or sparging unit  914  according to an embodiment. The mating retainer  1110  enables the sparger  914  to be in place on the supporting part  1102  and also adds to the support for the flexible bioprocess bag  902 . The mating retainer  1110  may also have the drive unit which can get connected to the mixing unit  904  as explained earlier. In another embodiment, the sparger  914  may be placed in another mating retainer (not shown in  FIG.  5   a - e   ) provided in the base segment  1106 . The housing  1100  can be closed by the operator  118  by moving the supporting part  1102  to a vertical position as illustrated in  FIG.  5   e   . Before closing the housing  1100 , a landing gear  1112  can be collapsed or folded into the supporting part  1102 . In another embodiment, the landing gear  1112  can be disconnected from the supporting part  1102 . 
     While placing the flexible bioprocess bag  902 , in an exemplary embodiment, the interface plate  918  may be positioned in the slot of the interface retainer  1104 , such that the liquid ports  910 - 1  and  910 - 2 , the gas ports  912 - 1  and  912 - 2  and the sensors  916 - 1  and  916 - 2  can project out through the holding means  1104 .  FIG.  6    illustrates the liquid ports  910 - 1  and  910 - 2 , the gas ports  912 - 1  and  912 - 2  and the sensors  916 - 1  and  916 - 2  projecting out from the interface retainer  1104 . In another embodiment, the interface retainer  1104  may be arranged at any other location on the supporting part  1102  and accordingly the liquid ports  910 - 1  and  910 - 2 , the gas ports  912 - 1  and  912 - 2  and the sensors  916 - 1  and  916 - 2  may be configured in the flexible bioprocess bag  902  so as to align with the interface retainer  1104 . The interface plate  918  positioned in the interface retainer  1104  also provides additional assistance in placing the flexible bioprocess bag  902  in place. The interface plate  918  may be configured to include additional ports or lesser number of ports (such as liquid ports, exhaust ports, gas ports and sensor ports) based on the requirement of the application (for example a bioprocess application) in other embodiments within the scope of this disclosure. 
     When the supporting part  1102  is in the table configuration, the operator  118  can connect a gas tube (i.e. a gas tube  1114 ) to the gas port  922 . The gas tube  1114  may be connected to respective gas reservoirs for supplying gas into the flexible bioprocess bag  902 . In another embodiment, when the supporting part  1102  moves to the operating position, the gas tube  1114  connects to the gas port  922  without user assistance, once the flexible bioprocess bag  902  is unfolded to retain on the supporting part  1102 . The gas tube  1114  may be attached to the supporting part  1102  by a fastening member  1116  according to an embodiment. Alternatively, the flexible bioprocess bag  902  may unfold after the supporting part  1102  is moved to the operating position and subsequently the gas tube  1114  gets connected to the gas port  922  without any user assistance. In this embodiment, the gas tube  1114  may be already attached to the supporting part  1102 . Another way in which a gas tube is attached to the supporting part is described in conjunction with  FIG.  10   . Even though only one tube is shown  FIG.  6   , there can be more than one tube that may be connected to different ports such as, liquid ports and gas ports according to various embodiments within the scope of the disclosure. Further, the operator  118  may also connect exhaust filter(s) to the exhaust port  920 . The operator  118  is able to load the flexible bioprocess bag  902  and make connections to the liquid ports, the exhaust ports, the gas ports and the sensor ports while standing on the ground thereby providing good ergonomics and user experience. In an alternate embodiment, the exhaust port  920  and the gas port  922  (as shown in  FIGS.  4  and  6   ) may be arranged in a single unit (as a mating retaining member) for example, a manifold, and connected to the retainer  1108 . Once the flexible bioprocess bag  902  is loaded, the supporting part  1102  is translated to vertical orientation to close the housing  1100 . Here, the flexible bioprocess bag  902  is placed within the housing  1100 . After completion of cell culture process, the contents of the flexible bioprocess bag  902  may be removed. Thereafter, the supporting part  1102  can be translated to the table configuration (i.e. the supporting part  1102  is positioned parallel to the ground), and then tubes and other connections can be disconnected. The flexible bioprocess bag  902  can be removed from the supporting part  1102  conveniently by the operator to complete the unloading process. 
     For ports and lines introducing fluid into the volume and internal of the bag, check valve arrangements may be applied to avoid any draining or backflow of reactor fluid into the lines. The check valves may be arranged in the line upstream the connection to the bag, at the connection of the bag or inside the bag at the outlet of the connecting line, tube or port which is known and disclosed in US2016/0194592, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. For example, if liquids are fed into the flexible bioprocess bag  902  from the bottom, there is a need to ensure that there is no back flow of the liquids.  FIG.  7    illustrates the liquid port  910 - 1  according to an embodiment. As the liquid port  910 - 1  is arranged at the first end portion  906 , the liquid filled in the flexible bioprocess bag  902  may flow back outward. The liquid port  910 - 1  includes a check valve  1200  that restricts the outward flow of liquid from the flexible bioprocess bag  902 . The check valve  1200  only allows inward flow of the liquid thus prevents any loss of liquid from the flexible bioprocess bag  902 . Similarly, the liquid port  910 - 2  may also have a check valve similar in structure and configuration of the check valve  1200 . Further, it may be envisioned that the liquid port may have any other structural component that prevents the outward flow of the liquid other than a check valve according to other embodiments within the scope of this disclosure. 
       FIG.  8   a    illustrates a support housing  1300  (hereinafter referred to as housing  1300 ) for holding a flexible bioprocess bag according to an embodiment. The housing  1300  includes a first segment  1302  operatively connected to a second segment  1304 . The first segment  1302  tiltably opens to access the interior of the housing  1300 . The operator  118  can place the flexible bioprocess bag on the first segment  1302  which acts as a supporting part. The first segment  1302  includes flap members  1306 - 1  and  1306 - 2  along its sides which act as retainers. Once the flexible bioprocess bag is placed on the first segment  1302  and laid down properly, the flap members  1306 - 1  and  1306 - 2  can be folded to securely position or confine the flexible bioprocess bag on the first segment  1302 . A second end portion of the flexible bioprocess bag may need to be connected to a retainer  1308 . The flexible bioprocess bag may have a first end portion that needs to be connected to a base segment  1310 . In order to connect, the flexible bioprocess bag needs to be unfolded to some extent by the operator  118 . The retainer  1308  can be moved along a track  1312 . In an embodiment, the track  1312  may be in the form of a sliding rail, and the retainer  1308  may have a sliding unit that enables it move along the track  1312 . The operator  118  can connect the second end portion of the flexible bioprocess bag to the retainer  1308  and it can be moved to a position at an end portion  1314  of the first segment  1302 . The track  1312  or the retainer  1308  may include a locking unit that can halt the movement of the retainer  1308  in the track  1312 . The locking unit can position the retainer  1308  at any desired position in the track  1312 . In an alternate embodiment, the movement of the retainer  1308  along the track  1312  can be controlled by a control unit (for example, the control unit  138  shown in  FIG.  1   a   . Once the retainer  1308  moves, it unfolds the flexible bioprocess bag (e.g. the flexible bioprocess bag  900 ) along the first segment  1302 . Considering the bag arrangement illustrated in  FIGS.  5   b - e   , the retainer  1308  can unfold the flexible bioprocess bag folded in the Z-shaped manner. The flexible bioprocess bag may be unfolded when the first segment  1302  is in the table configuration or in the operating position. It may be noted that the structure of the retainer  1308  illustrated here is according to one embodiment, and the retainer  1308  can have any other structural configuration or arrangement in other embodiments within the scope of this disclosure. 
     The first segment  1302  includes an interface retainer  1316  for receiving an interface plate of the flexible bioprocess bag (for example, the interface plate  918  of the flexible bioprocess bag  902 . The base segment  1310  includes a mating retainer  1318  for holding a drive unit which drives a mixing unit in the flexible. This is explained in detail earlier. 
     The interface retainer  1316  may include a shutter  1320  that can move to increase the size of the interface retainer  1316 . The operator (such as the operator  118 ) can insert the interface plate within the interface retainer  1316  while placing the flexible bioprocess bag  902  on the first segment  1302 . The second end portion of the flexible bioprocess bag  902  is connected to the base segment  1310  through the mating retainer  1318 . When the first end portion of flexible bioprocess bag  902  is connected to the retainer  1308 , the shutter  1320  can be moved to widen the interface retainer  1316 . 
     In another embodiment as shown in  FIG.  8   b   , the interface retainer  1316  can include two shutters, the shutter  1320  and the shutter  1322 . The operator may insert the interface plate of the flexible bioprocess bag  902  in the interface retainer  1316 . The size of the interface retainer  1316  can be varied by moving the shutters  1320  and  1322 . While connecting the first end portion  906  of the flexible bioprocess bag  902  to the base segment  1310 , the shutter  1322  may be in a collapsed state and the shutter  1320  may remain in the drawn-out state. When the second end portion  908  is connected to the retainer or a top end portion of the supporting part, the shutter  1320  may be moved to a collapsed state and the shutter  1322  may move to the drawn-out state. The movement of the shutters  1320  and  1322  may be controlled by the operator or it may be automatically controlled for example, by the control unit  138 . Thus, the size of the interface retainer  1316  can be varied based on the requirement. 
     In an embodiment as illustrated in  FIG.  8   c   , the interface retainer  1316  may be capable of moving in the first segment  1302 . As illustrated there are two shutters  1324  and  1326  provided at two sides of the holding means  1316 . These shutters can move between a collapsed and drawn-out sate. The operator can position the interface plate in the interface retainer  1316 , and when connecting the second end portion of the flexible bioprocess bag  902  to the retainer  1308  the shutter  1326  can change from the drawn-out state to the collapsed state thereby moving the interface retainer  1316 . The operator may connect the first end portion of the flexible bioprocess bag  902  to the base segment  1310  through the receiver  1318 , then the shutter  1324  can change from the drawn-out state to the collapsed state thereby moving the interface retainer  1316 . Here, the shutter  1326  moves from the collapsed state to the drawn-out state. As the interface retainer  1316  moves, it helps the operator in conveniently loading the flexible bioprocess bag  902  on the first segment  1302 . Even though, few embodiments of the structural configuration of the interface retainer  1316  is illustrated in  FIGS.  8   a ,  8   b  and  8   c   , it may be envisioned that the interface retainer  1316  can have different structural arrangements for conveniently receiving the interface plate to aid bag loading, within the scope of this disclosure as there are numerous embodiments and alternatives to mentioned shutter mechanism to achieve the desired positioning, fastening and release of interface plates. 
       FIG.  9    illustrates a support housing  1400  (hereinafter referred to as housing  1400 ) for holding a flexible bioprocess bag according to yet another embodiment. The housing  1400  may have a similar structure and configuration as the housing  1300  and accordingly include similar parts that perform the same function. The parts that are similar in housing  1400  and  1300  may not be described again in detail with respect to  FIG.  9   . The housing  1400  may have an interface retainer  1402  with a projecting structure  1404 . The projecting structure  1404  may have a slot for receiving the interface plate of a flexible bioprocess bag. The flexible bioprocess bag can be placed on a first segment  1406  operably connected to a second segment  1408 . The interface plate can be slid into the slot of the projecting structure  1404  in an angular direction while connecting both end portions of the flexible bioprocess bag. After the interface plate is placed in the slot, the projecting structure  1404  can be collapsed to align to an inner surface  1410  of the first segment  1406 . Now while unloading the flexible bioprocess bag, the projecting structure  1404  can be drawn-out from the collapsed state for sliding the interface plate out from the slot as illustrated in the zoomed view. The movable retainer  1412  and the projecting structure  1404  assist the operator  118  to conveniently remove the flexible bioprocess bag from the first segment  1406 . In another embodiment, the projecting structure  1404  can be moved to different heights in vertical direction (shown by arrow  1414 ) so that the interface plate can slid into the slot at varying angles. This facility provides additional assistance for the operator to load the flexible bioprocess bag  902 . 
     Now moving on to  FIG.  10    illustrating a support housing  1500  (hereinafter referred to as housing  1500 ) for holding a flexible bioprocess bag according to still yet another embodiment. The housing  1500  includes a first segment  1502  operatively connected to a second segment  1504 . The first segment  1502  tiltably opens to access the interior of the housing  1500  even though not illustrated in  FIG.  10   . The first segment  1502  may include an interface retainer  1506  and a retainer  1508 . The function of the opening and retainer is explained in detail in conjunction with  FIGS.  1   a - i    and  6 , hence not described here. The first segment  1502  includes two trenches for example, a trench  1510  and a trench  1512 . After loading the flexible bioprocess bag in the housing  1500  and connecting tubes to the flexible bioprocess bag, the tubes can be arranged in the trenches  1510  and  1512  by the operator  118 . The trenches  1510  and  1512  form part of a tube management structure that avoids entangling of tubes. In an embodiment, the trenches  1510  and  1512  may have additional members that securely fit the tubes in them. In another embodiment, there may be clipping or snapping members provided for securely positioning the tubes in place within the trenches. The tube management structure (i.e. the trenches  1510  and  1512 ) illustrated here is according to one of an exemplary embodiment, and hence it may be envisioned that the tube management structure may have any other structural arrangement for holding the tubes in an organized or concealed manner. Equally, the trenches may be larger in size and depth and may also protrude from the external surface of the first segment  1502  to accommodate the required number and size of tubing. The trenches may also be employed for routing cables, for example cables connecting to sensors (like a pressure sensor measuring the head pressure in the gas at the top of the bag) or cables connecting to remote controlled components such as for example valves. 
       FIG.  11    illustrates a support housing  1600  (hereinafter referred to as housing  1600 ) for holding a flexible bioprocess bag according to yet another exemplary embodiment. The housing  1600  includes a first segment  1602  operatively connected to a second segment  1604 . The first segment  1602  opens and closes in a transverse direction. A supporting part  1606  includes one or more openings such as, a mating retainer  1608 - 1 , a mating retainer  1608 - 2  and a mating retainer  1608 - 3  for holding drive units. The openings may be aligned in line as illustrated in  FIG.  11   . Even though three drive units are held in the corresponding mating retainers, the housing  1600  may have one or more drive units. A flexible bioprocess bag  1700  as schematically illustrated in  FIG.  12    is loaded in the housing  1600 . A flexible bioprocess bag  1700  includes a mixing unit  1702 - 1 , a mixing unit  1702 - 2  and a mixing unit  1702 - 3  arranged along its side portion as illustrated in  FIG.  12    according to an embodiment. When the supporting part  1606  is positioned in a table configuration, the flexible bioprocess bag  1700  is placed on the supporting part  1606  such that the mixing units  1702 - 1 ,  1702 - 2  and  1702 - 3  are operatively connected to corresponding drive units arranged in the mating retainers  1608 - 1 ,  1608 - 2  and  1608 - 3 . For sake of convenience of illustration, the drive units are not illustrated in  FIG.  12   . The supporting part  1606  is moved to a vertical orientation so that the flexible bioprocess bag  1700  is positioned in a vertical orientation within the housing  1600 . As described earlier, this is an operating position of the housing  1600  and the flexible bioprocess bag  1700 . In this embodiment, the mixing units are present only at the side portion of the flexible bioprocess bag  1700 , however in other exemplary embodiments, the mixing units may be present in the supporting part  1606  and another mixing unit  1704  may be arranged in a bottom portion  1706  of the flexible bioprocess bag  1700  which is illustrated in  FIG.  12   . The mixing unit  1704  is operatively connected to a drive unit through a mating retainer  1610  in a base segment  1612  of the housing  1600 . The first segment  1602  and the supporting part  1606  may have an opening  1614  and an interface retainer  1616 . The function of the opening and the interface retainer are described with respect to the earlier figures and hence not described in detail here. 
       FIG.  13    illustrates a support housing  1800  (hereinafter referred to as housing  1800 ) for holding another flexible bioprocess bag  1802  according to an exemplary embodiment. The housing  1800  includes a first segment  1804  (i.e. a supporting part) operably connected to a second segment  1806 . A base segment  1808  which is a portion of a base wall  1810  of the housing  1800  also moves to the vertical orientation when the first segment  1804  is arranged in a horizontal orientation parallel to the horizontal plane or the ground. The base segment  1808  and the first segment  1804  may move together or separately to respective orientation. The flexible bioprocess bag  1802  can be placed on the first segment  1804  in the table configuration. The flexible bioprocess bag  1802  includes a mixing unit  1810  having a shaft  1812  holding a mixing blade  1814 - 1  and a mixing blade  1814 - 2 . The shaft  1812  may be connected to a first end portion  1816  and a second end portion  1818  of the flexible bioprocess bag  1802 . In another embodiment, the shaft  1812  may be only connected to the second end portion  1818 . When the flexible bioprocess bag  1802  is positioned on the first segment  1804 , the end of the shaft  1812  connected to the first end portion  1816  engages with a drive unit present in the base segment  1808 . 
     In an embodiment, the shaft  1812  may be driven by a drive unit arranged in second end portion  1818  of the flexible bioprocess bag  1802 . The drive unit may be arranged in the flexible bioprocess bag  1802 . Alternatively, the drive unit may be positioned at an end portion  1820  of the first segment  1804 . When the second end portion  1818  is connected to a retainer  1822 , the shaft  1812  is coupled to the drive unit. The end of shaft  1812  may be automatically or manually coupled to the drive unit. In yet another embodiment, the drive unit may be mounted on the second segment  1806  which is fixed. When the first segment  1804  is moved to close the housing  1800  after bag loading, the end of the shaft  1812  automatically couples with the drive unit. 
     In an embodiment, the flexible bioprocess bag  1802  may include two shafts and a shaft may be connected to the mixing blade  1814 - 1  and another shaft to the mixing blade  1814 - 2 . In this case the shafts may be driven by two separate drive units for running the mixing blades such as, the mixing blades  1814 - 1  and  1814 - 2 . In some embodiments, shafts and/or impellers may be collapsible or foldable to allow a compact size during transport and storage of the bag and may be brought into the respective shape and size for operation during the bag installation procedure, bag inflation, bag filling or processing. 
     In an embodiment, the supporting part for loading the flexible bioprocess bag may not be tilted to form a table configuration—instead it may tilted only till a certain angle with respect to a horizontal plane as shown in  FIG.  14   .  FIG.  14    illustrates a support housing  1900  (hereinafter referred to as housing  1900 ) having a first segment  1902  (i.e. the supporting part) that is operably connected to a second segment  1904 . The first segment  1902  is tilted to a certain angle to open the housing  1900 . The flexible bioprocess bag  902  can be loaded on the first segment  1902  by connecting the first end portion  906  to a base segment  1906  and connecting the second end portion  908  to a retainer  1908 . Here, the first segment  1902  may have a wider profile for holding the flexible bioprocess bag  902 . The retainer  1908  may be similar to the retainer  1308  described with respect to  FIG.  8   a    even though not illustrated in  FIG.  14   . Therefore, the retainer  1908  can move on a track configured in an inner portion of the first segment  1902 . While connecting the second end portion  908 , retainer  1908  may move closer to the base segment  1906 . Then, after connecting the second end portion  908  to the retainer  1908 , the retainer  1908  can move to the top end portion of the first segment  1902 . The retainer  1908  stretches-out the flexible bioprocess bag  902  while moving. The movement of the retainer  1908  can be controlled manually by the operator  118  or may be controlled by a control unit such as the control unit  138 . In another embodiment, the first segment  1902  may not have the retainer  1908  but can be any receiver that can connect to the second end portion  908  of the flexible bioprocess bag  902  and move along the first segment  1902  to stretch the flexible bioprocess bag  902 . 
       FIG.  15    illustrates a support housing  1910  having a first segment  1912  (i.e. the supporting part) that is operably connected to the second segment  1904  according to an embodiment. A base segment  1914  is connected to the first segment  1912 . In an embodiment, the base segment  1914  is operably connected to the first segment  1912 . In some embodiments, the base segment  1914  and the first segment  1912  may be part of a single unit and hence they together form the supporting part. The first segment  1912  is rotated at an angle with respect to an axis ‘A’. For instance, the first segment  1912  may be rotated at 90° angle to open the housing  1910 . Thereafter, the first segment  1912  may be tilted at an angle as shown in  FIG.  15    reducing the footprint of the housing  1910 . The first segment  1912  may be connected to the second segment  1904  using a rotatable connector or any other connection means that enables the first segment  1912  to rotatably tilt with respect to the second segment  1904 . The rotatable connector or the connection means may be located closer to the base segment  1914 . Further, there may be locking means in the rotatable connector or any connection means which enables the first segment  1912  to be locked at desired tile angle. 
     The flexible bioprocess bag can be loaded on the first segment  1912 . It may be envisioned that the first segment  1912  may be rotated at different angles other than 90° angle and also tilted at different angles according to various other embodiments. In an embodiment, the first segment  1912  can be oriented parallel to the horizontal plane to form the table configuration even though not illustrated in  FIG.  15   . An interface retainer  1916  in the first segment  1912  and a mating retainer  1918  in the base segment  1914  facilitate in holding or retaining the flexible bioprocess bag on the first segment  1912 . This is explained earlier in detail with respect to earlier figures. 
       FIG.  16    illustrates a flow diagram of a method  2000  of providing a flexible bioprocess bag in a bioreactor according to an embodiment. The bioreactor includes a support housing (hereinafter referred to as housing) having a sidewall that includes a first segment and a second segment. The first segment is movable in relation to the second segment between an open and closed position. The method  2000  includes loading the flexible bioprocess bag on a supporting part arranged in a bag loading position or in a table configuration at step  2002 . The supporting part is translated from an operating position to the bag loading position. The supporting part is aligned parallel to the horizontal plane so that the operator or user can conveniently place the flexible bioprocess bag on the supporting part at the ground level. The flexible bioprocess bag is secured on the flexible bioprocess bag using one or more retainers at step  2004 . In an embodiment the housing includes a retainer for securing the flexible bioprocess bag on the supporting part. Once the flexible bioprocess bag is securely loaded, the supporting part is re-translated to an operating position thereby positioning the flexible bioprocess bag within the housing at step  2006 . 
     Turning now to  FIG.  17    illustrating a flow diagram of a method  2100  for cultivating cells in a bioreactor. The bioreactor includes a support housing (hereinafter referred to as housing) that can hold and mix fluids and contents for cultivating cells. A supporting part of the housing is translated from the operating position to a bag loading position. The supporting part can be aligned with the horizontal plane so that it is configured as the bag loading support surface. The flexible bioprocess bag is then loaded on the supporting part at step  2102 . The flexible bioprocess bag is secured on the supporting part using one or more retainers at step  2104 . For loading the flexible bioprocess bag, a portion of the base i.e., base segment is moved towards a vertical plane. A bottom portion of the flexible bioprocess bag is connected to the base segment. The flexible bioprocess bag includes a mixing unit arranged at the bottom portion which can connect to a drive unit configured at the base segment. The drive unit is capable of driving the mixing unit. 
     Once loaded, the supporting part is re-translated to the operating position thereby positioning the flexible bioprocess bag within the housing at step  2106 . The base segment and the retainers help in orienting the flexible bioprocess bag in the vertical orientation. The bag interface plate connected to an opening in the supporting part helps in the radial orientation of the flexible bioprocess bag along at least one side wall in the housing when in vertical orientation. Once loaded and brought into the vertical orientation, the flexible bioprocess bag can be inflated and filled with liquid at step  2108 . Inflation of the flexible bioprocess bag with air and the filling with liquid for processing are typically executed as two subsequent steps. For the step of filling the flexible bioprocess bag with liquid, the housing will be closed. In one embodiment, partial inflation or filling of the flexible bioprocess bag with air and/or liquid can be performed while the housing and the supporting part are not completely closed. The partial inflation and/or filling can help in a stepwise inflation of the flexible bioprocess bag in the scope of assuming the final shape for operation at operating liquid volume. 
     During inflation, the flexible bioprocess bag may inflate in a substantially radial direction and manner given that retainers at top portion (e.g. a first end portion) and bottom portion (e.g. a second end portion) of the flexible bioprocess bag secure the flexible bioprocess bag in a stretched out alignment along the central axis of the flexible bioprocess bag arranged in the operating position or vertical orientation. 
     In order to assist a controlled inflation of the flexible bioprocess bag and thereby achieving a correct sequence and progress in the inflation process as well as the flexible bioprocess bag assuming its correct final shape, the bag and its film sheets may be fitted in one embodiment with retainers such as, Velcro tape, snap fit members, securing belts and so on that are released in a stepwise manner during inflation. In another embodiment, the flexible bioprocess bag and film may be restricted during deflation after processing by securing belts or similar that help the deflating flexible bioprocess bag to assume a shape that allows the tilting of supporting part with the deflated flexible bioprocess bag such that the integrity of the flexible bioprocess bag is not compromised and/or the flexible bioprocess bag is within the inner surface of the supporting part. 
     The flexible bioprocess bag is connected to multiple feed tubes that are capable of feeding culture medium and cells into the flexible bioprocess bag at step  2108 . In addition to culture medium and cells, other contents such as, buffer, base, oxygen and other gases may be also fed into the flexible bioprocess bag at step  2110 . The mixing unit is used to mix the contents filled in the flexible bioprocess bag. The mixing process enables contents to be mixed properly so that the cells can be cultivated properly at step  2112 . It is critical to control the mixing unit mixing speed and other parameters which determines how effectively the oxygen can be supplied to cells and avoid any cell damage. 
       FIG.  18    illustrates a flexible bioprocess bag  2200  according to an embodiment. The flexible bioprocess bag  2200  includes one or more walls such as, a wall  2202  that form an interior of the flexible bioprocess bag  2200 . In an embodiment, an inner wall defines the interior of the flexible bioprocess bag  2200 . The flexible bioprocess bag  2200  includes one or more fluid ports at an end portion  2204  (i.e. first end portion) of the wall  2202 . The one or more fluid ports for example, fluid ports  2206 - 1 ,  2206 - 2 ,  2206 - 3 ,  2206 - 4  and  2206 - 5 , may be held by a first interface plate  2208 . The first interface plate  2208  may be held in a holding means  2209 . In an embodiment, the first interface plate  2208  may have the fluid ports  2206 - 1 ,  2206 - 2 ,  2206 - 3 ,  2206 - 4  and  2206 - 5  as its integral part. In another embodiment, the first interface plate  2208  may be modular and accordingly it can arrange or add or reduce fluid ports based on the requirement of the operator. Moreover, the fluid ports can also be arranged in the first interface plate  2208  in a different manner. For instance, all fluid ports may be arranged in a line. Alternatively, the fluid ports may be arranged in a different configuration in the first interface plate  2208 . 
     The flexible bioprocess bag  2200  may include one or more sensor ports such as, sensor ports  2210 - 1 ,  2210 - 2 ,  2210 - 3 ,  2210 - 4  and  2210 - 5  held in a second interface plate  2212 . The second interface plate  2212  may be positioned at a portion substantially proximal to the end portion  2204  of the flexible bioprocess bag  2200 . The second interface plate  2212  is held by a holding means  2213 . In an embodiment, the second interface plate  2212  may have the sensor ports  2210 - 1 ,  2210 - 2 ,  2210 - 3 ,  2210 - 4  and  2210 - 5  as its integral part. In another embodiment, the second interface plate  2212  may be modular and accordingly it can arrange or add or reduce sensor ports based on the requirement of the operator. Moreover, the sensor ports can also be arranged in the second interface plate  2212  in a different manner. For instance, all sensor ports may be arranged in a line. Alternatively, the sensor ports may be arranged in a different configuration in the second interface plate  2212 . 
     In an alternate embodiment, the flexible bioprocess bag  2200  may have only one of the first interface plate  2208  and the second interface plate  2212  holding respective fluid ports and sensor ports. 
     The flexible bioprocess bag  2200  may have an exhaust outlet  2214  at an end portion  2216  (i.e. second end portion). An exhaust tube  2218  is connected to the exhaust outlet  2214  by the operator. A connector  2220  connects the exhaust tube  2218  to the exhaust outlet  2214 . During operation, various exhaust gases are expelled through the exhaust outlet  2214  and then passes out through the exhaust tube  2218 . The exhaust gases may need to be filtered when passed out to the atmosphere. The operator may connect one or more filters such as, a filter  2222 - 1  and a filter  2222 - 2  to the exhaust outlet  2214  through the exhaust tube  2218 . The filter  2222 - 1  and the filter  2222 - 2  may be same type of filters or different types of filters. In another embodiment, even though only two filters are shown to be present, however there can be other exhaust filters that act as back-up exhaust filters which can function when the filters  2222 - 1  and  2222 - 2  are blocked. These filters are positioned such that it is easily accessible for the operator standing on the floor. The filter  2222 - 2  can be connected to the tube  2226  through a connector  2227 . This provides an advantage of performing ground level operation by the operator. Condensation can occur within the tube  2218 , and therefore a pump  2224  may be used to pump back the condensate into the flexible bioprocess bag  2200  through a tube  2226 . The tube  2226  is connected to the flexible bioprocess bag  2200  through a connector  2228 . Further while performing operation in the flexible bioprocess bag  2200 , there may be a need for gas (e.g. overlay gas) to be supplied to the ingredients or contents of the flexible bioprocess bag  2200 . This overlay gas may need to supplied through a gas port  2229  arranged at the end portion  2216  of the wall  2202 . A gas tube  2230  is connected to the gas port  2229  through a connector  2232 . 
     Connectors for connecting components or tubing in fluid contact with the mixing unit, which are connected external and adjacent to the flexible bioprocess bag  2200 , like the shown exemplary connectors  2220  and  2227 , may be provided in different configurations. The components external and adjacent to the flexible bioprocess bag  2200  typically comprise liquid addition or removal lines, gas addition and exhaust gas removal lines, sensors, mixing elements, sparging elements etc. and may come with different sizes, shapes and diameters in the connection to the flexible bioprocess bag. One configuration for a connection is of fixed type, for example tubing port welded into the wall of the flexible bioprocess bag  2200 , the tubing port providing a barb connection for attaching the tubing. Similar fixed connections may be provided for attaching sensors etc., to the flexible bioprocess bag. Components attached to the flexible bioprocess bag using fixed type connections are typically pre-sterilized together with the flexible bioprocess bag. Another type of connection provides an aseptic connection feature, hereby allowing two separate pre-sterilized components to be connected at the point of use while maintaining the sterility in the internal volume of these components. Aseptic connectors that allow for a connection in different sizes are provided by GE Healthcare™ (e.g., ReadyMate™ Connectors), for example. The use of aseptic connections allows for handling and installing components of the mixing unit and bioreactor in subsequent steps, hereby reducing the size, complexity and weight of components during the installation steps and thereby enhancing ergonomics and ease of use. The modularity provided by the use of aseptic connectors increases also the flexibility in combining different components with different properties depending on the specific application needs. Further, the modularity allows for increased flexibility in packaging, storage and transport of the components. Aseptic connections may be applied adjacent to the walls of the flexible bioprocess bag or in tubing sections along the length of tubing. In another embodiment, the mixing unit and flexible bioprocess bag are provided with aseptic disconnectors that allow for a disassembly of the mixing unit during processing and in particular after processing when removing the flexible bioprocess bag from the vessel. Aseptic disconnectors facilitate a closed system approach during assembly and can protect the operator and environment from exposure to fluids internal to the mixing unit and flexible bioprocess bag. 
     The flexible bioprocess bag  2200  may have a gas sparging unit  2234  (also called a sparger) arranged at a bottom portion (i.e. at the end portion  2204 ) of the wall  2202 . The gas sparging unit  2234  supplies gas into the flexible bioprocess bag  2200 . The gas is utilized by the ingredients or contents in the flexible bioprocess bag  2200 . The function of the gas sparging unit  2234  is explained earlier. 
     The flexible bioprocess bag  2200  includes a drain port  2236  for draining the contents from the flexible bioprocess bag  2200 . The contents may be ingredients or any matter that are unwanted. Drain port  2236  is preferably allowing full drainability of the flexible bioprocess bag and reactor volume and the opening of the drain port  2236  at the internal of the flexible bioprocess bag are therefore positioned at a lowest point in the flexible bioprocess bag  2200 . For example, during a bioprocess operation or mixing process there may be ingredients that are formed and may be unwanted which needs to be drained through the drain port  2236 . Alternatively, the contents from the flexible bioprocess bag  2200  may be drained out using the drain port  2236  for emptying and subsequent optional rinsing or flushing of the flexible bioprocess bag  2200 . In an alternate embodiment, the tube  2226  can be connected to one of the drain port  2236  and the gas sparging unit  2234 . 
     The flexible bioprocess bag  2200  may be loaded in a housing similar to any of the housings described in  FIGS.  1   a - h    and  FIG.  2   . After the flexible bioprocess bag  2200  is inflated the tubes  2230 ,  2218  and  2226  can be connected to respective connectors  2232 ,  2220 ,  2228  and  2227  provided in the flexible bioprocess bag  2200 . Alternatively, the flexible bioprocess bag  2200  may be a standalone unit for holding solutions or fluids or ingredients or contents. 
     In some embodiments of the support housing  2400  for the bioprocess bag  2402  disclosed above, illustrated in  FIG.  22   , the first segment  2404  comprises a first drive unit  2410  for connecting and driving a first mixing unit  2415  in the flexible bioprocess bag. This drive unit can suitably be a magnetic drive unit. Further, the base segment  2420  or the side wall may comprise a second drive unit  2425  (e.g. a magnetic drive unit) for connecting to a second mixing unit  2430  in the flexible bioprocess bag. The base segment or side wall may also comprise a mating gas supply retainer (not shown in  FIG.  22   ) adjacent to the second drive unit for connecting to a sparger  2435  in the flexible bioprocess bag, adjacent to the second mixing unit. In  FIG.  22   , the first segment  2404  and the base segment  2420  are shown as being tiltable around a horizontal axis  2440 . 
     In some embodiments of the above method of providing a flexible bioprocess bag  2402  in a bioreactor, the first segment  2404  may likewise comprise a first drive unit  2410  for connecting and driving a first mixing unit  2415  in the flexible bioprocess bag. This drive unit can suitably be a magnetic drive unit. Further, the base segment  2420  or the side wall may comprise a second drive unit  2425  (e.g. a magnetic drive unit) for connecting to a second mixing unit  2430  in the flexible bioprocess bag. The base segment or side wall may also comprise a mating gas supply retainer (not shown) adjacent to the second drive unit for connecting to a sparger  2435  in the flexible bioprocess bag, adjacent to the second mixing unit. 
     In certain embodiments of the flexible bioprocess bag  2402 ;  2502  as disclosed above, illustrated in  FIGS.  21  and  22   , a side wall  2445 ;  2508  of the flexible bioprocess bag comprises a first mixing unit  2415 ;  2515  configurated to be connected to a first drive unit  2410 ;  2510  in said supporting part  2404 . The bag may further comprise a sparging unit  2435 ;  2535  attachable to a mating gas supply retainer (not shown) provided at a portion of the support housing. It may also comprise a second mixing unit  2430 ;  2530  configurated to be connected to a second drive unit  2425 ;  2525  of the support housing. Suitably, the sparging unit and the second mixing unit can be provided adjacent to each other in the flexible bioprocess bag, e.g. as illustrated in  FIG.  23   . 
     In a further aspect, the invention discloses a flexible bioprocess bag  2402 ;  2502  comprising a first mixing unit  2415 ;  2515  configured for agitating a content of the flexible bioprocess bag and a second mixing unit  2430 ;  2530 , adjacent to a sparging unit  2435 ;  2535 , and configured for controlling the size and distribution of bubbles emanating from the sparging unit. One or both of the first and second mixing units can suitably be magnetically driven. The first mixing unit may e.g. be provided on a side wall  2408 ;  2508  of the flexible bioprocess bag. The second mixing unit and the sparging unit may e.g. be provided on a bottom wall  2406 ;  2506  of the flexible bioprocess bag. Suitably the first mixing unit has an impeller  2417 ;  2517  which is located away from the bottom wall of the flexible bioprocess bag, which is advantageous for bulk mixing of the fluid in the bag. The impeller may e.g. be located at a distance  2518  of at least 5%, or at least 10%, of the inner height  2519  of the flexible bioprocess bag from the bottom wall  2506 . This can apply both for side wall- and bottom-wall mounted mixing units. If the first mixing unit is bottom-mounted (not shown), the impeller then needs to be mounted on a shaft to provide the distance from the bottom. The impeller  2417 ;  2517  of the first mixing unit can suitably be an axial flow impeller, e.g. a segmented or pitched blade impeller. For the second mixing unit, good bubble dispersion can be achieved with an impeller  2432 ;  2532  close to the sparging unit, e.g. where the distance from the impeller to the sparging unit is less than 5 cm, such as less than 2 cm or 0.5-1 cm. The impeller  2432 ;  2532  in the second mixing unit may e.g. be a segmented or pitched blade impeller, as illustrated in  FIG.  23   . The impeller diameter can suitably be less than 0.5 times the diameter of the bag, such as less than 0.4 times the bag diameter or 0.3-0.4 times the bag diameter. The sparging unit can be shaped as one or more discs, as in  FIG.  23   , but also other shapes are possible—e.g. porous ring structures. By decoupling the bulk mixing from the bubble dispersion, both processes can be better optimized in comparison to the case where one mixing unit has a double function. The efficiency of a bulk mixing unit, in this case a side wall-mounted axial flow impeller, is illustrated by the CFD simulations of  FIGS.  19  and  20   .  FIG.  19   a   ) shows a reference bottom-mounted impeller in a flat-bottomed 500 L cylindrical vessel, with tracer locations P 1  to P 8  according to  FIG.  19   c   ), giving the mixing time of 60 s (T 95 — time to 95% mixing homogeneity). In contrast, the side wall impeller of  FIG.  19   b   ) and  d ) gives a mixing time T 95  of 38 s.  FIG.  20    shows the flow pattern of the side wall-mounted impeller across a central vertical plane of the vessel. 
     In a yet further aspect, the invention discloses a support housing  2400 ;  2500  for a flexible bioprocess bag  2402 ;  2502 , comprising a first drive unit  2410 ;  2510  (e.g. a magnetic drive unit) and a second drive unit  2425 ;  2525  (e.g. a magnetic drive unit) for connecting and driving a first mixing unit  2415 ;  2515  and a second mixing unit  2430 ;  2530  respectively in a flexible bioprocess bag when mounted in said support housing, where the first drive unit may be provided on a side wall  2504  or side wall segment  2404  of the support housing. The second drive unit may e.g. be provided on a bottom wall  2520  or bottom wall segment  2420  of said support housing. The support housing may further comprise a mating gas supply retainer (not shown) adjacent to the second drive unit for connecting to a sparging unit  2435 ;  2535  in the flexible bioprocess bag, adjacent to the second mixing unit. Suitably, the power of the first drive unit may be at least 2 times the power of the second drive unit, such as at least 5 times or at least 10 times the power of said second drive unit. More power is needed for bulk agitation than for bubble dispersion and it can be advantageous to design the system such that the second mixing unit primarily disperses bubble away from the sparger, while the larger first mixing unit provides bulk mixing, including mixing the dispersed bubbles into the bulk fluid. 
     In some embodiments, illustrated by  FIG.  24   a   ) and  b ), the invention discloses a support housing  2600  for a flexible bioprocess bag  2602 , comprising a drive unit  2610  having an acute angle α relative to a base segment  2620  of said support housing. The drive unit is arranged for connecting and driving a shaft  2611  with a plurality of mixing units  2615 ,  2616 ,  2617  in the flexible bioprocess bag. This drive unit can suitably be a magnetic drive unit and is suitably arranged in base segment  2620  or in a recess of the base segment. As described above, a first segment  2603  of a side wall  2604  and the base segment  2620  are tiltable relative to a second segment  2606  of the side wall, suitably around a horizontal axis  2640 . The base segment may also comprise a mating gas supply retainer  2632  adjacent to the drive unit for connecting to a sparger  2635  in the flexible bioprocess bag. First segment  2603  may further comprise a bearing retainer  2612 , arranged to engage or interact with a bearing  2638  or bearing holder  2637  on a side wall  2639  of the flexible bioprocess bag, such that a shaft  2611  with a plurality of mixing units in a bag  2602  is rotatably supported at a distal end by the bearing and/or bearing holder and at a proximal end by the drive unit. 
     The invention further discloses a flexible bioprocess bag  2602 , comprising a shaft  2611  with a plurality of mixing units  2615 ,  2616 ,  2617  configured for agitating a content of the flexible bioprocess bag. The shaft is arranged to be driven by the drive unit  2610  in the support housing  2600  and, if the drive unit is a magnetic drive unit, the shaft may suitably comprise a set of magnets arranged to couple with a set of permanent magnets or electromagnets in the drive unit. The shaft can suitably be aligned with the drive unit along a common axis of rotation  2641 , having an acute angle α in relation to base segment  2620 . α may e.g. be in the range of 50-80 degrees, such as 55-75 degrees. A distal end  2642  of shaft  2611  may be rotatably attached to a side wall  2639  of the flexible bioprocess bag, e.g. by a bearing  2638 . The bearing  2638  may be directly attached to side wall  2639 , or it may be attached via a bearing holder  2637 , which can e.g. be a rigid plastic structure welded to the side wall of the bag. The bearing holder, or the bearing, may engage a bearing retainer  2632  on the first segment  2603  of the support housing side wall. It is also contemplated that the bearing holder and the bearing retainer may comprise magnets, allowing magnetic coupling to fix the bearing holder in a correct position. If the side wall of the support housing is perpendicular to the base of the housing, the angle between the side wall and the shaft will be 90 degrees—α, such that this angle may e.g. be in the range of 10-40 degrees, such as 15-35 degrees. The mixing units can comprise a first mixing unit  2615 , a second mixing unit  2616  and optionally a third mixing unit  2617 . The first mixing unit  2615  can be located at a proximal end  2618  of the shaft, close to the drive unit and sparger  2635 . The first mixing unit can then be designed for efficient dispersion of air/gas bubbles from the sparger into the content of the bag. For this purpose, the first mixing unit can e.g. be a radial mixing unit such as e.g. a Rushton turbine. The second and optional third mixing units can be designed for mixing of the bag content and can e.g. be angled blade (e.g. propeller) agitators to provide for axial mixing. 
     In certain embodiments, illustrated by  FIG.  25   a   ) and  b ), the invention discloses a support housing  2700  for a flexible bioprocess bag  2702 , comprising a drive unit  2710  having an acute angle α relative to a base segment  2720  of said support housing. The drive unit is arranged for connecting and driving a shaft  2711  with a plurality of mixing units  2715 ,  2716 ,  2717  in the flexible bioprocess bag. This drive unit can suitably be a magnetic drive unit and is suitably arranged in base segment  2720  or in a recess of the base segment. The base segment may also comprise a mating gas supply retainer  2732  adjacent to the drive unit for connecting to a sparger  2735  in the flexible bioprocess bag. As described above, a first segment  2703  of a side wall  2704  and the base segment  2720  are tiltable relative to a second segment  2706  of the side wall, suitably around a horizontal axis  2740 . In addition, a baffle or shaft holder rod  2712  on the side wall opposite first segment  2703  is tiltable along with base segment  2720 . A bearing retainer  2743  located on or integral with baffle or shaft holder rod  2712  is arranged to engage or interact with a bearing  2738  or bearing holder  2737  on a side wall  2739  of the flexible bioprocess bag, such that a shaft  2711  with a plurality of mixing units in bag  2702  is rotatably supported at a distal end by the bearing and/or bearing holder and at a proximal end by the drive unit. 
     The invention further discloses a flexible bioprocess bag  2702 , comprising a shaft  2711  with a plurality of mixing units  2715 ,  2716 ,  2717  configured for agitating a content of the flexible bioprocess bag. The shaft is arranged to be driven by the drive unit  2710  in the support housing  2700  and, if the drive unit is a magnetic drive unit, the shaft may suitably comprise a set of magnets arranged to couple with a set of permanent magnets or electromagnets in the drive unit. The shaft can suitably be aligned with the drive unit along a common axis of rotation  2741 , having an acute angle α in relation to base segment  2720 . α may e.g. be in the range of 50-80 degrees, such as 55-75 degrees. A distal end  2742  of shaft  2711  may be rotatably attached to a side wall  2739  of the flexible bioprocess bag, e.g. by a bearing  2738 . The bearing  2738  may be directly attached to side wall  2739 , or it may be attached via a bearing holder  2737 , which can e.g. be a rigid plastic structure welded to the side wall of the bag. The bearing holder, or the bearing, may engage a bearing retainer  2743  located on or integral with a baffle or shaft holder rod  2712 , opposite the first segment  2703  of the support housing side wall. It is also contemplated that the bearing holder  2737  and the baffle/shaft holder rod  2712  may comprise magnets, allowing magnetic coupling to fix the bearing holder in a correct position. If the side wall of the support housing is perpendicular to the base of the housing, the angle between the side wall and the shaft will be 90 degrees—α, such that this angle may e.g. be in the range of 10-40 degrees, such as 15-35 degrees. The mixing units can comprise a first mixing unit  2715 , a second mixing unit  2716  and optionally a third mixing unit  2717 . The first mixing unit  2715  can be located at a proximal end  2718  of the shaft, close to the drive unit and sparger  2735 . The first mixing unit can then be designed for efficient dispersion of air/gas bubbles from the sparger into the content of the bag. For this purpose, the first mixing unit can e.g. be a radial mixing unit such as e.g. a Rushton turbine. The second and optional third mixing units can be designed for mixing of the bag content and can e.g. be angled blade (e.g. propeller) agitators to provide for axial mixing. 
     From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the bioreactor includes a housing that enables a user or operator to load a flexible bioprocess bag in a convenient manner. A supporting part of the housing is movable to be aligned to the horizontal plane attaining a table configuration. Thus, the operator or user can load the flexible bioprocess bag on the supporting part at ground level conveniently. The flexible bioprocess bag can be securely positioned on the supporting part using retainers by the operator. Also, the bioprocess can be connected to multiple feed tubes that are for supplying buffer, culture medium, gases, base and so on to the flexible bioprocess bag at the ground level. The supporting part eliminates the need for the operator to climb up the bioreactor for making connections of feed tubes to the flexible bioprocess bag. As loading of the flexible bioprocess bag happens in the ground level the time required for setting up the bioreactor is reduced, it provides a better user experience. 
     This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any computing system or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.