Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of an energy recovery system for a freeze-drying system. In some embodiments, the freeze-drying system includes a freeze dryer chamber having one or more shelves disposed therein; a refrigeration system comprising a refrigerant condenser; a heat exchanger; a first fluid line to thermally couple the refrigerant condenser to the heat exchanger; and a second fluid line to thermally couple the one or more shelves to the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A system including a fluid manifold and an article; the manifold having a length and a width and a plurality of inlet or outlet ports and the article comprising an element disposed within the manifold adapted for adjustable lengthwise movement within the manifold; and is suitably employed to adjust shelf temperature in for example a freeze-drying apparatus.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of an energy recovery system for a freeze-drying system. In some embodiments, the freeze-drying system includes a freeze dryer chamber having one or more shelves disposed therein; a refrigeration system comprising a refrigerant condenser; a heat exchanger; a first fluid line to thermally couple the refrigerant condenser to the heat exchanger; and a second fluid line to thermally couple the one or more shelves to the heat exchanger.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of an energy recovery system for a freeze-drying system. In some embodiments, the freeze-drying system includes a freeze dryer chamber having one or more shelves disposed therein; a refrigeration system comprising a refrigerant condenser; a heat exchanger; a first fluid line to thermally couple the refrigerant condenser to the heat exchanger; and a second fluid line to thermally couple the one or more shelves to the heat exchanger.

Abstract: System and method for lyophilization or freeze-drying is provided. During the freezing step, the material or solution to be frozen is initially brought to a temperature near or below its freezing temperature after which the pressure in the freeze-dryer chamber is reduced to induce nucleation of the material.

Abstract: Methods of inducing nucleation of a material is provided. The disclosed methods comprise the steps of bringing the material to a temperature near or below a phase transition temperature and altering the pressure to induce nucleation of the material. The disclosed methods are useful in freeze-drying processes, particularly pharmaceutical freeze-drying processes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a handle device. The handle device includes a hollow body having an outer surface and an inner surface forming a cavity. A slot is formed within the cavity and at least one opening is formed at one end of the body for an insertion of a handle portion of an object. In one embodiment of the present invention, the opening is a modified T-structure of a substantially elongated shape including two tabs located in a center portion of the modified T-structure. The two tabs are substantially perpendicular to the elongated shape of the opening. In another embodiment, the opening is a modified star structure including a central aperture and four sides of a substantially elongated shape extending from the central aperture.

Abstract: A container loader includes a loading ram and a side wall protector device for protecting side walls of a container, such as a trailer or a shipping container. The side wall protector device includes a pair of spaced-apart movable side plates with at least one actuator connected to the side plates. The side plates are selectively extendable into spaces adjacent the container side walls by the actuator and are retractable therefrom, such that the side wall protector device substantially contains a loading pressure within the container and substantially prevents the pressure from exerting force upon the container side walls.

Abstract: A waste loading device for loading waste/recyclables into a container includes a base portion positionable at a loading station, a loading tube extending from the base portion and a pushing member. The loading tube has a discharge end and is configured to be received in a container positioned at the waste/recyclables loading device such that the discharge end is substantially within the container. The discharge end is at an angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the loading tube. The pushing member is movable along the loading tube to push waste along the loading tube to the discharge end and into the container. The discharge opening at the discharge end opens generally downwardly. The loading tube may extend approximately eight feet or more into the container when the container is positioned at the loading device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a reservoir for storage and use of the liquid or mobile phase of a liquid chromatography system. The reservoir comprises a main chamber for containing the majority of the mobile phase and having a conical base with two apertures and two cavities subtending the apertures and in fluid communication with the main chamber. These cavities are adapted to receive a stirrer and a pump filter and to maintain these devices separate from each other during operation. The structure of the reservoir provides for more rapid and thorough mixing and virtually complete utilization of the mobile phase while minimizing introduction of gaseous phase into the liquid chromatography system downstream from the reservoir.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a reservoir for storage and use of the liquid or mobile phase of a liquid chromatography system. The reservoir comprises a main chamber for containing the majority of the mobile phase and having a conical base with two apertures and two cavities subtending the apertures and in fluid communication with the main chamber. These cavities are adapted to receive a stirrer and a pump filter and to maintain these devices separate from each other during operation. The structure of the reservoir provides for more rapid and thorough mixing and virtually complete utilization of the mobile phase while minimizing introduction of gaseous phase into the liquid chromatography system downstream from the reservoir.

Abstract: The present invention provides a high speed homogenizer which has an adjustable gripping means to grip and hold containers of varying size. This gripping and holding means can be centered or decentered under the homogenizing tool. Decentering a container held by the gripping and holding means tends to minimize or even eliminate vortexing problems. The homogenizer also has electronic means for controlling the speed and time of operation of the homogenizing tool. The electronic control means of the homogenizer can also monitor the temperature of the sample being homogenized and respond to changes in temperature when necessary. The homogenizer can be easily adjusted up and down a vertical support post by a counter weighting mechanism such as a constant force spring.

Abstract: A pressure relief valve in a cap, and more particularly a pressure relief valve in a cap for use with pressure vessels in chromatography systems. In one exemplary application the valve is contained within the cap of a pressure chromatography column. In a second exemplary application the valve is contained within the cap of a mobile phase reservoir of a high performance liquid chromatography system. The valve generally comprises a body, a sealing element, and a force applying means. The body of the valve is formed into the cap and defines an inlet in communication with the interior of the column, an outlet in communication with ambient air, a first bore, and a seat. The sealing element slides within the body and is urged into sealing contact with the seat by the force applying means. The sealing element has a raised lip at its sealing face to provide a substantial sealing force per unit of sealing surface area.

Abstract: The subject invention provides a freeze dryer apparatus having an interim condensing system, preferably a refrigeratable condensing surface. The interim condensing system condenses vapors within the product chamber of the freeze dryer apparatus when the main condenser coil, which normally condenses vapors within the product chamber, needs to be defrosted. The refrigeratable condensing surface is preferably mounted inside the product chamber.

Abstract: A shelf support is disclosed in which the position of a bracket on an elongated support member is infinitely adjustable and in which a pair of support surfaces on the bracket engage a pair of support surfaces on the support member, one of which is defined by an elongated strip of resiliently deformable material. A lock is provided for holding the bracket in a shelf support position and it includes a resilient pin having ends engaging ribs of a channel-shaped support member.