Method of and apparatus for drying liquid from a liquid-solid composite and sealing the remaining solid material

A method of drying moisture from a biologically active liquid-solid composite which comprises the steps of filling a container with the composite, subjecting said container to vibration to increase the effective surface area of liquid therein, directing dry air over the liquid substantially parallel to the surface of the liquid in said container while it is subjected to vibration, and thereafter subjecting the container to a vacuum.

A method of sealing a dry biologically active substance in a container where the container has a surface surrounding a well in which the substance resides, comprising the steps of subjecting said container to a vacuum in a chamber, then pressuring said chamber with an inert gas slightly above atmospheric pressure, adhering flexible sealing sheet to said surface, and removing said container from said chamber.

A method of drying moisture from a biologically active liquid-solid composite which comprises the steps of filling a round container with the composite, subjecting said container to vibration to increase the effective surface area of liquid therein, directing dry air over the liquid substantially parallel to the surface thereof while it is subjected to vibration, thereafter subjecting the container to a vacuum, and sealing said container.

A method of sealing a dry biologically active substance in a container where the container has a surface surrounding a well in which the substance resides, comprising the steps of subjecting said container to a vacuum in a chamber, then introducing as inert gas into said chamber, adhering a flexible sealing sheet to said surface, and removing said container from said chamber.

A method of drying liquid from a liquid-solid composite in a round container comprising the steps of providing said container with the composite therein, providing an elongated housing member, moving said container along the length of said housing member while directing a relatively high velocity stream of dry air through said housing member substantially parallel to the surface of the liquid over said container in said housing to create a vortex in said container and reduce the pressure therein while maximizing the area of exposed liquid to thereby evaporate the liquid from said container.

The method of claim 16 including the further step of subjecting the container to an atmosphere of an inert gas prior to sealing said container whereby the container is sealed with inert gas therein.