Abstract: A freeze-drying apparatus (1) includes an arrangement of individual product platforms (19) that are supported vertically in a frame (20) in a drying chamber, in which each platform is able to be moved to a shift level, in which lateral guides (20, 21) designed to support a carriage (15) are arranged with a fixed height position, and which cooperate with the guides (16, 18) of a loading and unloading device. All product platforms (19) in the drying chamber can be loaded by repeating this operation cyclically. In order to unload the drying chamber, the arrangement of the product platforms (19) are moved to such a position above the shift level in which the carriage (15) can be moved as far as its rear limit position inside the drying chamber, travelling underneath each loaded product platform (19).

Abstract: A freeze-drying apparatus (1) includes an arrangement of individual product platforms (19) that are supported vertically in a frame (20) in a drying chamber, in which each platform is able to be moved to a shift level, in which lateral guides (20, 21) designed to support a carriage (15) are arranged with a fixed height position, and which cooperate with the guides (16, 18) of a loading and unloading device (49). All product platforms (19) in the drying chamber can be loaded by repeating this operation cyclically. The freeze-drying apparatus (1) comprises an electrical drive unit powered by a battery (44).

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for the pressure-based determining of a product parameter in a freeze dryer, in particular a product temperature. At a point in time tSTART, a closing element as an intermediate valve between an ice chamber and a drying chamber of the freeze dryer is closed. Then, during a pressure rise occurring due to the sublimation pressure values (P1, P2, . . . ) are measured in the drying chamber. At a point in time tEND then the closing element is opened. From the measured pressure values (P1, P2, . . . ) an approximation of a product parameter, in particular a product temperature TAPPROX, is determined. The point in time tEND is determined specifically for the measured pressure values (P1, P2, . . . ) such that the time span for which the closing element is closed depends on the determined pressure values and such that the time span is variable during a drying process.

Abstract: The invention relates to a freeze-dryer product sensor (1). The freeze-dryer product sensor (1) comprises a transducer (13) for sensing a product parameter and an RFID unit (14). In a storage unit (28) of the RFID unit (14) at least one characteristic parameter (29) specific to the freeze-dryer product sensor (1) is stored. According to the invention the freeze-dryer product sensor (1) comprises only one single antenna unit (3), which leads to a reduced effort in constructing the freeze-dryer product sensor (1). The inventive freeze-dryer product sensor may be employed in a drying vessel. The invention also relates to a method for operating such a freeze-dryer product sensor.

Abstract: A device for loading and unloading the utility surface (3?) of a drying chamber (2) of a freeze drying system. The device includes a carriage (8) which forms a movable guiding edge for the drying vessels (5), and is moveable on guides (7) disposed on both sides of the utility surface (3) and which extend in parallel with the movement direction and form fixed guiding edges for the drying vessels (5). At least one linear motor is provided to produce a drive for the carriage. All of the components of the device can be located inside the drying chamber (1), and the device of the present invention is suitable for upgrading existing freeze drying systems.

Abstract: A device for loading and unloading the standing surface of the drying chamber of a freeze drying installation. The device includes a carriage disposed above an unloading position of the surface which extends transversely to a movement direction during a loading or unloading process and in parallel with the standing surface and forms a movable guiding edge for the drying vessels. Guides disposed on both sides of the standing surface extend in parallel with the movement direction and form fixed guiding edges for the drying vessels. The carriage is driven by two linear motors, the respective primary parts of which are fixedly connected to both side ends of the carriage and are supported on the guides which at the same time receive the secondary parts. All of the components of the devices thus defined are located within the drying chamber, wherein a mechanically extremely simple and low-wear construction is achieved.

Abstract: A freeze-drying apparatus (1) includes an arrangement of individual product platforms (19) that are supported vertically in a frame (20) in a drying chamber, in which each platform is able to be moved to a shift level, in which lateral guides (20, 21) designed to support a carriage (15) are arranged with a fixed height position, and which cooperate with the guides (16, 18) of a loading and unloading device. All product platforms (19) in the drying chamber can be loaded by repeating this operation cyclically. In order to unload the drying chamber, the arrangement of the product platforms (19) are moved to such a position above the shift level in which the carriage (15) can be moved as far as its rear limit position inside the drying chamber, travelling underneath each loaded product platform (19).

Abstract: A [lacuna] principally for loading and unloading the utility surface (3?) of the drying chamber (2) of a freeze drying system, which utility surface is located at a defined height position, the unloading position, is characterized by a carriage (8), which is disposed slightly above said utility surface and extends, during loading or unloading, transversely with respect to a movement direction (8?) and in parallel with the utility surface and which forms a movable guiding edge for the drying vessels (5), and by guides (7), which are disposed on both sides of the utility surface (3), extend in parallel with the said movement direction and form fixed guiding edges for the drying vessels (5). The carriage (8) is driven by two linear motors, the respective secondary parts (18) of which are fixedly connected to the ends of the carriage (8) on both sides and are supported on the guides (7) which at the same time accommodate the primary parts.

Abstract: A device principally used for loading and unloading the standing surface (3?) of the drying chamber (2) of a freeze drying installation, which standing surface is located at a defined height position, the unloading position, is characterised by a carriage (8), which is disposed slightly thereabove, extends transversely to a movement direction (8?) during a loading or unloading process and in parallel with the standing surface and forms a movable guiding edge for the drying vessels (5), and by guides (7) which are disposed on both sides of the standing surface (3?), extend in parallel with the said movement direction and form fixed guiding edges for the drying vessels (5). The carriage (8) is driven by two linear motors, the respective primary parts (9) of which are fixedly connected to both side ends of the carriage (8) and are supported on the guides (7) which at the same time receive the secondary parts.