Method and apparatus for handling and processing of material and devices for freeze-drying
AssigneeMillrock Technology, Inc.
InventorsAric H. DAVENPORT, Taylor N. THOMPSON, JR.
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).
Claims20
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 mechanism enabling opening and closing of the bulk sealable tray, and
- the container, the seal, and the lid are configured to couple together to enable sealing of the bulk sealable tray.
A sealable tray, comprising:
- a container having a shape for containing product;
- a seal;
- and
- a lid configured to seal the tray via coupling with the seal and the container, wherein
- the container includes:
- a port configured for filling the container with product and/or introducing a vacuum for the sealable tray;
- and
- a mechanism enabling opening and closing of the sealable tray, and
- the sealable tray is configured for sealing by creating the vacuum using the port and causing the container, the seal, and the lid to couple together to seal the sealable tray.
A sealable tray, comprising:
- a container having a shape for containing product;
- a seal;
- and
- a lid configured to seal the tray via coupling with the seal and the container, wherein
- the container includes:
- a port configured for filling the container with product and/or introducing a vacuum for the sealable tray;
- a mechanical latch;
- and
- a mechanism enabling opening and closing of the sealable tray, and
- 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.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.