Abstract: A cell culturing apparatus having a unitary filter and stirring head suspended within a culture vessel by a flexible conduit which permits movement of the head in a predetermined nonrotary path for stirring the culture medium within the vessel while at the same time permitting filtering and removal of expended medium and culture byproducts by passage through the head and flexible conduit. The flexible conduit has an upper portion fixedly secured to the culture vessel so as to eliminate the necessity for rotary bearings and the like between relative moving parts, and the head carries a magnet which is movable by means of a magnetic drive located outside the culture vessel. In one embodiment, an auxiliary supply line is disposed within the flexible conduit and head to permit the introduction of fluids into the culture vessel simultaneously with the removal of expended medium therefrom.

Abstract: The circulation of heat transfer fluid through the low temperature heat exchanger in the temperature control system of a freeze dryer is selectively increased when the temperature of heat being applied to the product shelf assembly in the freeze dryer exceeds the desired temperature. Preferably, a servo-controlled mixing valve selectively bypasses the low temperature heat exchanger so that the rate of cooling is very precisely adjusted without requiring the heat exchanger refrigeration unit to be cycled on and off. Since the refrigeration unit operates continuously, the reliability and operating lifetime of the refrigeration unit is increased. Moreover, the heat exchanger temperature is maintained at a minimum value. Preferably, the servo-control for the mixing valve includes a digitally controlled stepping motor and the adjustment of the mixing valve is sensed by a linear voltage displacement transducer. To prevent short cycling and oscillation, a dead band is introduced in the servo-control loop.

Abstract: A shelf arrangement is disposed within the vacuum drying chamber of a freeze dryer. The shelf arrangement has a plurality of vertically-movable shelves, flanges of which are positioned within vertically disposed, elongated slots. The slots are located in side plates, which plates maintain upper and lower bracket assemblies in spaced-apart relation. Certain of the slots are provided with stop means for rendering certain of the shelves vertically immovable. Elevating means are provided for raising and lowering the movable shelves.

Abstract: Apparatus providing for the growth of cells in a nutrient bath under controlled conditions includes a pressure vessel with a surrounding dimpled jacket. The pressure vessel is adjustably mounted on three vertical mounting columns, from which it is thermally isolated. Temperature control for the pressure vessel is achieved by a closed heat transfer system which includes a pair of heat exchanger sections in series, one for heating and one for cooling the heat transfer fluid. A removable head or lid for the pressure vessel is lifted by three cables running through a common pulley mounted above the pressure vessel. Impeller blades for agitating the contents of the fermenting apparatus have a drive shaft that extends through the head and is connected to a gear box by a removable driving link. The gear box, and an associated drive motor, are affixed to a common mounting bracket that is pivotable to permit maximum displacement of the head.

Abstract: A condensation chamber for freeze drying apparatus is designed such that moisture containing air evacuated from a drying chamber passes substantially uniformly over the cooled interior surfaces of the condensation chamber thereby maximizing the available surface for moisture condensation and freezing. This desirable result is achieved by a tube which is connected to a vacuum pump and positioned through an end wall of the condensation chamber along the central axis of the chamber. One open end of the tube is positioned adjacent one end wall of the chamber and openings are provided through the wall of the tube adjacent the other end wall so that moisture containing air entering the chamber intermediate of the openings in the tube travel in both directions along the cooled interior surfaces of the chamber toward both openings in the tube.

Abstract: A shelf arrangement is disposed within the vacuum drying chamber of a freeze dryer. The shelf arrangement has multiple vertically-movable shelves that are suspended by stops on flexible wires stretched between upper and lower brackets of a frame assembly. Each shelf has four flanges extending from the edge thereof which comprise arms that straddle corresponding wires thereby engaging the stops so that the shelves are positioned in a vertical arrangement. The slots between the arms of the flanges allow the shelves to slide vertically along the wires when multiple screw members which engage following threaded nuts attached to the lower most shelf of the group of shelves are rotated. Thus, as the lower most shelf is raised, it engages the next highest shelf and so forth until all of the shelves are elevated vertically against the upper bracket.

Abstract: A shelf arrangement is disposed within the vacuum drying chamber of a freeze dryer. The shelf arrangement has multiple vertically-movable shelves that are suspended by stops on flexible wires stretched between upper and lower brackets of a frame assembly. Each shelf has four flanges extending from the edge thereof which comprise arms that straddle corresponding wires thereby engaging the stops so that the shelves are positioned in a vertical arrangement. The slots between the arms of the flanges allow the shelves to slide vertically along the wires when multiple screw members which engage following threaded nuts attached to the lower most shelf of the group of shelves are rotated. Thus, as the lower most shelf is raised, it engages the next highest shelf and so forth until all of the shelves are elevated vertically against the upper bracket.

Abstract: Disclosed is a door and hinge frame arrangement for external-pressure vessels or vacuum chambers which has a five-way adjustment capability to assure that the door properly seals over the chamber entrance without the necessity for the application of large forces. A chamber door (which may be either circular or square) is pivotally mounted in a vertical position between ends of horizontal arms of a "C" shaped frame assembly. The "C" shaped frame comprises a vertical hinge member which is pivotally mounted at the bottom and top ends thereof, and the two horizontal arms extend from opposite ends of the straight member. Thrust bearings are provided to support the weight of the door and frame at the lower pivot of the vertical member. The vertical position of the door and frame can be adjusted by varying the thickness of the thrust bearings at this point.

Abstract: Disclosed is improved homogenizer apparatus of the type capable of operating in the range of 60,000 revolutions per minute. A motor is mounted to a motor support frame structure which in turn is mounted to the cabinet of the homogenizer. Two shafts are mounted to the motor mounting frame and extend downwardly essentially parallel to a spindle operably connected to the motor. A lower flask base support and an upper flask clamp are mounted for sliding movement on the two shafts and clamps formed of a cylindrical member fabricated of a metal softer than the shafts to avoid marring or damage to the shafts are utilized to clamp the flask base and flask clamp in any desired position on the shafts. By attaching the shafts directly to the motor support frame, the flask base and flask clamp remain properly oriented and aligned with respect to the spindle irrespective of shipping and operation vibrations and other external forces.

Abstract: A portable refrigerating unit has a condenser coil which may be inserted directly into the drying chamber of a freeze drying apparatus. A flexible tube is utilized to convey refrigerant to and from the condenser coil. The flexible tube and the condenser coil are connected through a closure member, which provides a vacuum tight seal for the drying chamber of the freeze drying apparatus. The closure member may be removed from the condenser coil, so that various closure sizes may be utilized and so that the condenser coil may be utilized as an immersible refrigerating device.