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US 12,709,426 B2Granted
Method and apparatus for handling and processing of material and devices for freeze-drying
AssigneeMillrock Technology, Inc.
InventorsAric H. Davenport, Taylor N. Thompson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present technology is directed to an apparatus for freeze-drying various items. The apparatus described herein includes a reusable sealable container enabling aseptic handling of bulk processed materials. The multi-use tray enables a sterile sealable enclosure for use throughout the freeze-drying process, including: pre-freeze-drying (e.g., filling, handling, storage, transfer), freeze-drying processing, and/or post-freeze-drying (e.g., handling and storage).
Claims18
A bulk sealable tray for filling or loading of product, the bulk sealable tray comprising:
- a container having a shape for containing product;
- a seal configured for sealing the bulk sealable tray;
- and
- a lid configured to seal the tray via coupling with the seal and the container, wherein
- the container includes:
- a vacuum port configured to introduce a vacuum for the bulk sealable tray;
- a fill port configured to fill the container with product;
- a vacuum indicator configured to indicate that the bulk sealable tray is vacuum sealed;
- and
- a vacuum release located on a surface of the container, wherein the vacuum release is configured to release the vacuum for the bulk sealable tray,
- the bulk sealable tray is configured for sealing by pressing together the container, the seal, and the lid and creating the vacuum using the vacuum port thereby causing the container, the seal, and the lid to seal the bulk sealable tray,
- upon sealing the bulk sealable tray, the bulk sealable tray is configured for placement in a freeze drying apparatus, and
- upon being placed in the freeze drying apparatus, the container is configured to open when the vacuum is reduced to a vacuum level below that of the container.
10 more elements
A sealable tray, comprising:
- a container having a shape for containing product;
- a seal;
- a lid configured to seal the tray via coupling with the seal and the container;
- and
- a filter configured for placement between the container and the lid for preventing particulate loss, wherein
- the container includes:
- a port configured to, at least, introduce a vacuum for the sealable tray;
- and
- a vacuum release located on a surface of the container, wherein the vacuum release is configured to release the vacuum for the sealable tray,
- the sealable tray is configured for sealing by pressing together the container, the seal, and the lid and creating the vacuum using the port thereby causing the container, the seal, and the lid to couple together to seal the sealable tray,
- upon sealing the sealable tray, the sealable tray is configured for placement in a freeze drying apparatus, and
- upon being placed in the freeze drying apparatus, the container is configured to open when the vacuum is reduced to a vacuum level below that of the container.
9 more elements
A sealable tray, comprising:
- a container having a shape for containing product;
- a seal;
- a lid configured to seal the tray via coupling with the seal and the container;
- and
- a filter configured for placement between the container and the lid for preventing particulate loss, wherein
- the container includes:
- a port configured to, at least, introduce a vacuum for the sealable tray;
- and
- a mechanical latch,
- the sealable tray is configured for sealing by coupling together the container, the seal, and the lid and maintaining a sealed state of the sealable tray using the mechanical latch,
- upon sealing the sealable tray, the sealable tray is configured for placement in a freeze drying apparatus, and
- upon being placed in the freeze drying apparatus, the container is configured to open when the mechanical latch is operated.
9 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.