Abstract: A technology for protecting a valve seat inside a collection tank from the adherence of frozen particles in a vacuum freeze-drying apparatus and a frozen particle manufacturing method. The inside of a vacuum tank and a collection tank are vacuum evacuated; a raw material liquid is injected into the vacuum tank to produce frozen particles; and the frozen particles are piled up on a surface of a heating/cooling shelf. When the frozen particles on the heating/cooling shelf are transferred into the collection tank through the inside of an auxiliary pipe, the frozen particles do not adhere to a valve seat which surrounds an opening of a main pipe inside the collection tank.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of fluoropolymer powdered materials is disclosed. A suspension of solid fluoropolymer particles in a liquid carrier, preferably water, is frozen and the frozen carrier is then removed by sublimation at sub-atmospheric pressure to produce a dry powder of fluoropolymers particles.

Abstract: This invention is concerned with a distributive ejection apparatus for liquid material in a freeze-drying apparatus for foodstuffs, medicaments, etc., wherein the liquid material adjusted from the starting material for foodstuffs, medicaments, etc. is caused to freeze onto the inner wall surface of the upright cylindrical tube, and the distributive ejection of the liquid material onto the tube at the time of its freeze-drying by sublimation of the moisture content in the material under the vacuum condition may be done in the state of supplying the liquid material over the entire surface of the inner wall surface of the tube with a substantially uniform thickness.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for effecting freeze-drying specimens containing solvents or condensing solvents having a shallow pan treatment chamber with little or no obstructions, holes or orifices. The treatment is effected by cooling the base of the chamber by using coolant-containing coils mounted beneath the base of the chamber. The direct thermal conduction of heat through the base of the chamber provides a more effective method of both cooling specimens and condensing solvents, typically water. A source of vacuum is provided to the chamber by a conduit located in the cover, sidewalls or base of the chamber. The method and apparatus may employ a moveable specimen holder positioned in the chamber. The moveable specimen holder may be mounted on a perforated tube which slidably engages a conduit in the base of the chamber. The perforated tube may a conduit to the source of vacuum.

Abstract: A process is provided for freeze-drying medicaments and foodstuffs comprising dissolving the foodstuffs or medicaments in a solvent, introducing the solution formed into a shell comprising a desiccating chamber of a shell-tube freeze-drying device to cause the solution to freeze in a tubular layer, and crushing and comminuting the freeze-dried liquid with a comminuting device to obtain a powder product.

Abstract: The invention permits the application of an identifying mark onto a fast-dissolving dosage form without the need for application of pressure or printing directly onto the dosage unit. The invention comprises preparing of a fast-dissolving dosage unit that is embossed with an identifying mark such as a manufacturer's logo, medicinal component strength, or other information relating to the unit. The desired identifying mark is first embossed onto the base of the container such as a blister pocket. Liquid suspension is then filled into the container and solidified, e.g., freeze-dried, therein. The resulting dosage unit in the container is thereby embossed with a substantial copy of the identifying mark that was embossed on the base of the container. The embossed identifying mark on the base of the container remains thereon as well thereby affording the ability to learn the identifying mark on the enclosed unit without opening the packet.

Abstract: Flexible edge sealing membranes cooperate with the heating surface of a vacuum preheater and a web moving over the surface (1) to minimize air loss in the portions of the heating surface not covered by the web, (2) to prevent differential heating of the edges of the web induced by unrestricted air flow, and (3) to provide reduced friction contact with the edge portions of the web.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for freeze drying of liquid material in a vessel in which the vessels are moved automatically through various stages including loading vessels onto racks, washing vessels in an inverted position, sterilizing vessels and racks, filling vessels with a liquid material, rotating the vessels and the liquid material contained within each vessel at a speed that allows the liquid to form a shell against the inner surface of the vessel, subjecting the vessels and the liquid material contained therein to freezing conditions sufficient to freeze the material into the form of a shell and then moving the rack and the vessels containing the frozen material through a vacuum drying chamber in which the frozen liquid material is dried.

Abstract: The present invention includes a freeze dryer which has a housing defining a chamber. A condenser is remote from the chamber and has an interior coupled for communication with the chamber. A base supports the chamber and is configured to accommodate the chamber in a plurality of different positions relative to the base. A pump is coupled to the chamber to lower pressure in the chamber.

Abstract: A freeze dryer includes a freezer unit having a plurality of walls defining a freezer interior. A housing defining a chamber suitable for receiving a specimen to be freeze dried is mounted to one of the panels to extend through an aperture therein into the freezer interior. A lid engages the housing to seal the housing. A condenser and a pump are coupled to the housing to lower pressure in the chamber and to condense liquid from the specimen.

Abstract: The present invention provides a shelf for a freeze dryer which includes a pair of first and second flat plates spaced apart from one another, and a plurality of ribs located between the first and second plates and spaced from one another so as to define flow channels for circulating a diathermic fluid. The ribs are preferably formed of hollow tubes that are brazed to the first and second plates and the hollow tubes and plates are stress relieved so that the first plate presents a flat surface at which heat is transferred from articles to be freeze dried and the diathermic fluid. A freeze dryer shelf constructed in such manner has less thermal mass than prior art design which have solid ribs and plates welded to the ribs with a thickness sufficient to prevent the formation of surface deformations that would interrupt the flat surface of the first plate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a shelf for a freeze dryer which includes a pair of first and second flat plates spaced apart from one another, and a plurality of ribs located between the first and second plates and spaced from one another so as to define flow channels for circulating a diathermic fluid. The ribs are preferably formed of hollow tubes that are brazed to the first and second plates and the hollow tubes and plates are stress relieved so that the first plate presents a flat surface at which heat is transferred from articles to be freeze dried and the diathermic fluid. A freeze dryer shelf constructed in such manner has less thermal mass than prior art design which have solid ribs and plates welded to the ribs with a thickness sufficient to prevent the formation of surface deformations that would interrupt the flat surface of the first plate.

Abstract: The invention permits the application of an identifying mark onto a freeze-dried tablet without the need for application of pressure or for printing directly on the tablet. The invention comprises the preparation of a freeze-dried unit that is embossed with an identifying mark such as a manufacturer's logo, medicinal component strength, or other information relating to the unit. The desired identifying mark is first embossed onto the base of a container such as a blister pocket. Liquid suspension is then filled into the container and freeze-dried therein. The resulting freeze-dried unit in the container is thereby embossed with substantial copy of the identifying mark that was embossed on the base of the container. The embossed identifying mark on the base of the container remains thereon as well, providing at reduced manufacturing cost the added ability to learn the identifying mark on the enclosed freeze-dried unit without opening the blister pack.

Abstract: The lower extremity of each ballscrew (4) is engaged in a nut (6) with a nil pitch equipped with horizontal and parallel throats (7) for receiving balls (8) which cooperate with grooves (9) provided in an extremity sleeve (10) borne by the screw. An imperviousness system is constituted by sintered stainless steel rings mounted onto the upper portion and lower portion of the sleeve and are kept in place by a profiled joint made of a flexible synthetic material.