Abstract: Method for transfer of containers, such as vials (101), between a freeze dryer (1) that is located at a first location and a separate transport vehicle (30) that is mobile with respect to the freeze dryer, wherein the freeze dryer (1) comprises a freeze dryer housing (2) with an access opening (11) towards an inner freeze drying chamber (10) inside the freeze dryer housing (2), multiple shelves (21-24) that are arranged spaced apart above each other inside the freeze dryer chamber (10) and each provided with a horizontally extending first flat supporting surface (25) for supporting the containers, wherein the mobile transport vehicle (30) comprises a mobile undercarriage (31) supporting a storage housing (33) with an access opening (40) towards an inner storage chamber (39), a carrier provided with a second flat supporting surface (58) for supporting the containers inside the storage housing (33), and a container shifter (60) for pushing out containers away from the second flat supporting surface (58) in a pu

Abstract: The invention relates to a conveying system for conveying intended upright articles, for example vials, comprising an in-feed conveyor, an out-feed conveyor, and a single liner system placed between said in-feed conveyor and out-feed conveyor, wherein said single liner system comprising a series of co-planar conveyor belts, wherein said belts are placed side by side for defining a conveying surface and wherein said belts are movable in substantially the same driving direction at different velocities; a track guide placed above said conveying surface for guiding said articles from said in-feed conveyor to said out-feed conveyor along a guide direction, wherein said guide direction is arranged at an acute angle with respect to said driving direction; wherein said velocity of subsequent belts of said series of co-planar conveyor belts increases in the guide direction.

Abstract: Method for transfer of containers, such as vials (101), between a freeze dryer (1) that is located at a first location and a separate transport vehicle (30) that is mobile with respect to the freeze dryer, wherein the freeze dryer (1) comprises a freeze dryer housing (2) with an access opening (11) towards an inner freeze drying chamber (10) inside the freeze dryer housing (2), multiple shelves (21-24) that are arranged spaced apart above each other inside the freeze dryer chamber (10) and each provided with a horizontally extending first flat supporting surface (25) for supporting the containers, wherein the mobile transport vehicle (30) comprises a mobile undercarriage (31) supporting a storage housing (33) with an access opening (40) towards an inner storage chamber (39), a carrier provided with a second flat supporting surface (58) for supporting the containers inside the storage housing (33), and a container shifter (60) for pushing out containers away from the second flat supporting surface (58) in a pu

Abstract: The invention relates to a conveying system for conveying intended upright articles, for example vials, comprising an in-feed conveyor, an out-feed conveyor, and a single liner system placed between said in-feed conveyor and out-feed conveyor, wherein said single liner system comprising a series of co-planar conveyor belts, wherein said belts are placed side by side for defining a conveying surface and wherein said belts are movable in substantially the same driving direction at different velocities; a track guide placed above said conveying surface for guiding said articles from said in-feed conveyor to said out-feed conveyor along a guide direction, wherein said guide direction is arranged at an acute angle with respect to said driving direction; wherein said velocity of subsequent belts of said series of co-planar conveyor belts increases in the guide direction.

Abstract: A conveyor system (10) comprises a star wheel (32) for receiving articles (14) from a first conveyor (12) and dispatching the articles to a second conveyor. The star wheel comprises first and second segments (44, 46) each having a perimeter adapted to receive articles to be conveyed. A first shaft (52) rotates the first segment (44) about an axis, and a second shaft (60) rotates the second segment (46) about the axis. In one embodiment, a torsion spring (64) resiliently connects the shafts (52, 60) together. The first shaft (52) is connected to a first drive for rotating the first and second shafts (52, 60) together about the axis. The second shaft (60) is connected to a clutch (72) arrangement for selectively connecting the second shaft (60) to a second drive for rotating the second shaft about the axis at a different speed from the first shaft, for example, in the event that the first drive is switched off.

Abstract: A freeze dryer comprises a chamber having a rectangular slot through which vials are inserted into the chamber. An assembly for loading and/or unloading the chamber comprises a transfer bar extending across the slot. The bar is pivotally attached at each end to first and second flat springs, each spring being wound on a respective rotatably mounted spool located proximate the slot. Drive means are provided for synchronously rotating the spools to effect movement of the bar into or out from the chamber and for selectively rotating the spools to raise or lower the bar.