EP0069005B2 - Lyophilizing installation having two series of racks - Google Patents

Lyophilizing installation having two series of racks Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0069005B2
EP0069005B2 EP82401135A EP82401135A EP0069005B2 EP 0069005 B2 EP0069005 B2 EP 0069005B2 EP 82401135 A EP82401135 A EP 82401135A EP 82401135 A EP82401135 A EP 82401135A EP 0069005 B2 EP0069005 B2 EP 0069005B2
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
series
racks
casing
frame
installation according
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EP82401135A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0069005A1 (en
EP0069005B1 (en
Inventor
Michel Baron
Philippe Larrat
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Usifroid SA
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Usifroid SA
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Application filed by Usifroid SA filed Critical Usifroid SA
Priority to AT82401135T priority Critical patent/ATE8707T1/en
Publication of EP0069005A1 publication Critical patent/EP0069005A1/en
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    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F26—DRYING
    • F26B—DRYING SOLID MATERIALS OR OBJECTS BY REMOVING LIQUID THEREFROM
    • F26B5/00—Drying solid materials or objects by processes not involving the application of heat
    • F26B5/04—Drying solid materials or objects by processes not involving the application of heat by evaporation or sublimation of moisture under reduced pressure, e.g. in a vacuum
    • F26B5/06—Drying solid materials or objects by processes not involving the application of heat by evaporation or sublimation of moisture under reduced pressure, e.g. in a vacuum the process involving freezing

Definitions

  • lyophilization is a process for removing water from the structure of organic or mineral substances, in particular food products, pharmaceuticals, etc. and which essentially consists of a freezing operation then a sublimation operation under vacuum .
  • the lyophilisation installations currently known comprise either (FR-A-2,198,611) two separate compartments: one dedicated to freezing, the other to sublimation, the latter being able to be put under vacuum, or, in the case of installations of the aforementioned type, a single compartment in which the two freezing and sublimation operations are carried out and which can, for this second operation, be put under vacuum.
  • the present invention aims to overcome the above-mentioned drawbacks and for this purpose proposes a freeze-drying installation of the aforementioned type in which the above-mentioned shelves form two separate series, namely a first series of freezing shelves provided only with means of cooling to a temperature below 0 ° C and a second series of sublimation shelves provided only with heating means at a temperature above 0 0 C, in that a transfer device is provided for passing the trays from the shelves of the first series to those of the second series, and in that means are provided to put the entire enclosure under vacuum during sublimation.
  • Each series of shelves thus remains at a constant or substantially constant temperature, for example - 40 ° C. for the first series and +40 ° C. for the second series, which eliminates the loss of energy and time, the device for transfer, ensuring the movement of the trays, allowing the freezing and sublimation to be carried out successively.
  • the shelves of one series are coplanar with the shelves of the other series and the aforementioned transfer device is provided for driving the trays by sliding them from one shelf to another. This gives a very simple configuration and very reliable operation of the installation.
  • the aforementioned enclosure is provided, between the two series of shelves, with a set of retractable shutters forming a thermal barrier between said series.
  • This set of retractable shutters stops the radiation and convection between the two series of shelves and thus ensures a better thermal efficiency of the installation, while allowing the free sliding of the trays.
  • the installation essentially comprises an enclosure or tank 10 of generally parallelepipedal shape, capable of being placed under vacuum and closed, at its two opposite ends, by doors 11, 12 each provided with 'a window 11a, 12a allowing visual control of the products being processed.
  • enclosure 10 Inside the enclosure 10 are mounted two series of superimposed shelves or plates 20 and 30 intended to receive bins B containing the products to be lyophilized, as well as a transfer device 40 for passing the bins B from the shelves from the 20 series to the 30 series.
  • the superimposed shelves 20a, 20b, 20c ... and 30a, 30b, 30c ... of the series 20 and 30 are provided with known cooling and heating means, constituted for example by coils (not shown), in which circulates a cooling fluid and a heating fluid respectively.
  • the lines between these coils and the necessary sources of cooling and heating fluids (not shown) have been indicated at 21, 22 and 31, 32.
  • the shelves 20a, 20b, 20c ... and 30a, 30b, 30c are further provided with side edges 23a, 23b, 23c and 33a, 33b, 33c ... allows both the guidance of the tanks B during their translation.
  • the temperatures of the refrigerant and heating fluids must be respectively less than and greater than 0 ° C. so as to allow the freezing of the aqueous substances contained in the products to be lyophilized, then the sublimation, under vacuum, of these aqueous substances. These temperatures can be, for example, -40 ° C and + 40 ° C.
  • each shelf 20a, 20b, 20c ... of the series of cold shelves 20 is coplanar with a shelf 30a, 30b, 30c ... of the series of hot shelves 30.
  • the transfer device generally designated by 40, comprises a frame 41 movable in translation in one direction and in the other in the enclosure 10 and on which is articulated a pushing member of the tanks 42 and a mechanism 43 to drive said frame in translation.
  • the frame 41 is formed of two identical side cheeks 410 provided with support rollers 411 which roll on horizontal rails 15 fixed on the internal walls of the enclosure 10 and pressure rollers 413 bearing on the side walls of said enclosure.
  • the cheeks 410 are also provided with racks 415 for the translational drive of the frame 41.
  • the pushing member of the trays 42 comprises a set of horizontal bars 420 fixed on two uprights 421 articulated, by means of links 422, on the frame 41.
  • Each upright 421 is provided, at its lower part, with a roller 423 cooperating with a fixed ramp or cam 13 mounted on the enclosure.
  • the profile of the ramp 13 is provided for controlling the positioning of the member 42 relative to the frame 41 so that the bars 420 occupy either a low position allowing the placing of the trays B on the shelves 20a, 20b, etc. .. ( Figure 2 and solid lines in Figure 5), or a high position so as to engage said bins B and drive them in translation, shelves of the series 20 on those of the series 30 ( Figure 4 and dashes of the figure 5).
  • the ramp 13 is provided, for this purpose, in the vicinity of its left end (looking at Figure 2) with a sharply inclined portion 13a.
  • the mechanism 43 for translational drive of the frame 41 comprises two shafts 430 mounted vertically and rotatably in the enclosure 10, each shaft 430 being provided with two series of grooves 431 intended to mesh with the racks 415 mounted on the two lateral cheeks 410 of said frame 41 (see FIG. 5).
  • the rotation drive of each shaft 430 is provided by the same electric motor 432 located outside the enclosure, by means of a right angle gear 433, of a transmission of any known type, indicated in 434 provided so that the two shafts 430 rotate in synchronism and in opposite directions and of a pinion 435 keyed to the upper part of said shaft 430, which crosses the wall of the enclosure 10.
  • a seal 436 ensuring vacuum sealing is provided for this purpose.
  • rollers 16 and 17 In the enclosure 10, and integral with the latter, are mounted upper and lower guide rollers 16 and 17 respectively which ensure a rectilinear movement of the frame 41 by opposing the lateral thrust exerted on said frame at the racks.
  • the rollers 16 are supported on the internal faces of the upper part of the cheeks 410 while the rollers 17 are supported on angles 414 fixed to the lower part of the cheeks 410.
  • the installation operates as follows: after bringing the shelves 20 to the predetermined negative temperature, the tanks B are placed in position, manually or automatically, on said shelves in order to obtain the freezing of the products. Then, as soon as said freezing temperature is obtained, the chamber is placed under vacuum and sublimation is carried out by passing the tanks B from the cold plates 20 to the hot plates 30. For this, the engine 432 is started. which, by means of the shafts 430, drives in translation, from left to right while looking at FIGS. 2 and 4, the frame 41.

Abstract

Apparatus for freeze-drying products comprises an enclosure within which are mounted shelves provided with cooling and heating means and in which vessels for containing the products are located. These shelves are arranged in two series, viz a first series maintained at a temperature lower than 0 DEG C. and a second series maintained at a temperature higher than 0 DEG C. in operation and a transfer mechanism is incorporated to cause the vessels to travel from the shelves of the first series to those of the second series, the enclosure being under vacuum. The invention is applicable for the freeze-drying of food products, biological substances, among others.

Description

La présente invention concerne une installation de lyophilisation de produits par charges successives, du type comportant une enceinte formant un compartiment unique pendant tout le cycle de lyophilisation et à l'intérieur de laquelle sont montées des étagères superposées munies de moyens de refroidissement et de chauffage et supportant des bacs contenant lesdits produits (voir par exemple le FFI-A-1.415.793).The present invention relates to an installation for freeze-drying products by successive loads, of the type comprising an enclosure forming a single compartment during the entire freeze-drying cycle and inside which are mounted superimposed shelves provided with cooling and heating means and supporting trays containing said products (see for example FFI-A-1.415.793).

On sait que la lyophilisation est un procédé pour éliminer l'eau de la structure de substances organiques ou minérales, en particulier de produits alimentaires, pharmaceutiques, etc... et qui consiste essentiellement en une opération de congélation puis une opération de sublimation sous vide.It is known that lyophilization is a process for removing water from the structure of organic or mineral substances, in particular food products, pharmaceuticals, etc. and which essentially consists of a freezing operation then a sublimation operation under vacuum .

Les installations de lyophilisation actuellement connues comportent soit (FR-A-2.198.611) deux compartiments séparés : l'un consacré à la congélation, l'autre à la sublimation, ce dernier pouvant être mis sous vide, soit, dans le cas des installations du type précité, un compartiment unique dans lequel on effectue successivement les deux opérations de congélation et de sublimation et pouvant, pour cette seconde opération, être mis sous vide.The lyophilisation installations currently known comprise either (FR-A-2,198,611) two separate compartments: one dedicated to freezing, the other to sublimation, the latter being able to be put under vacuum, or, in the case of installations of the aforementioned type, a single compartment in which the two freezing and sublimation operations are carried out and which can, for this second operation, be put under vacuum.

Ces dernières installations constituent une simplification évidente par rapport aux installations à deux enceintes en réduisant l'encombrement et les manipulations, mais n'en présentent pas moins de sérieux inconvénients : les étagères doivent être alternativement refroidies et réchauffées pour obtenir la congélation et la sublimation. Il en résulte une perte d'énergie importante ainsi qu'une perte de temps non négligeable puisqu'il faut attendre que l'inversion de température se soit opérée dans les étagères.These latter installations constitute an obvious simplification compared to installations with two enclosures by reducing the bulk and handling, but nevertheless have serious drawbacks: the shelves must be alternately cooled and reheated to obtain freezing and sublimation. This results in a significant loss of energy as well as a significant loss of time since it is necessary to wait until the temperature inversion has taken place in the shelves.

La présente invention a pour but de pallier les inconvénients sus-mentionnés et propose à cet effet une installation de lyophilisation du type précité dans laquelle les étagères précitées forment deux séries distinctes, à savoir une première série d'étagères de congélation munies uniquement de moyens de refroidissement à une température inférieure à 0 ° C et une seconde série d'étagères de sublimation munies uniquement de moyens de chauffage à une température supérieure à 0 0 C, en ce qu'un dispositif de transfert est prévu pour faire passer les bacs des étagères de la première série à celles de la deuxième série, et en ce qu'il est prévu des moyens pour mettre l'ensemble de l'enceinte sous vide pendant la sublimation.The present invention aims to overcome the above-mentioned drawbacks and for this purpose proposes a freeze-drying installation of the aforementioned type in which the above-mentioned shelves form two separate series, namely a first series of freezing shelves provided only with means of cooling to a temperature below 0 ° C and a second series of sublimation shelves provided only with heating means at a temperature above 0 0 C, in that a transfer device is provided for passing the trays from the shelves of the first series to those of the second series, and in that means are provided to put the entire enclosure under vacuum during sublimation.

Chaque série d'étagères reste ainsi à une température constante ou sensiblement constante, par exemple - 40 0 C pour la première série et +40 ° C pour la seconde série, ce qui élimine les pertes d'énergie et de temps, le dispositif de transfert, en assurant le déplacement des bacs, permettant de réaliser successivement la congélation et la sublimation.Each series of shelves thus remains at a constant or substantially constant temperature, for example - 40 ° C. for the first series and +40 ° C. for the second series, which eliminates the loss of energy and time, the device for transfer, ensuring the movement of the trays, allowing the freezing and sublimation to be carried out successively.

Selon une autre caractéristique de l'invention, les étagères d'une série sont coplanaires aux étagères de l'autre série et le dispositif de transfert précité est prévu pour entraîner les bacs en les faisant glisser d'une étagère à l'autre. On obtient ainsi une configuration très simple et un fonctionnement très fiable de l'installation.According to another characteristic of the invention, the shelves of one series are coplanar with the shelves of the other series and the aforementioned transfer device is provided for driving the trays by sliding them from one shelf to another. This gives a very simple configuration and very reliable operation of the installation.

Selon une autre caractéristique de l'invention, l'enceinte précitée est munie, entre les deux séries d'étagères, d'un ensemble de volets escamotables formant une barrière thermique entre lesdites séries.According to another characteristic of the invention, the aforementioned enclosure is provided, between the two series of shelves, with a set of retractable shutters forming a thermal barrier between said series.

Cet ensemble de volets escamotables arrête le rayonnement et la convection entre les deux séries d'étagères et assure ainsi un meilleur rendement thermique de l'installation, tout en permettant le libre coulissement des bacs.This set of retractable shutters stops the radiation and convection between the two series of shelves and thus ensures a better thermal efficiency of the installation, while allowing the free sliding of the trays.

D'autres caractéristiques et avantages de l'invention apparaîtront au cours de la description qui va suivre.Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge during the description which follows.

Dans les dessins annexés donnés uniquement à titre d'exemple non limitatif :

  • la figure 1 représente, de façon schématique et en vue de dessus, une installation selon l'invention, la paroi supérieure de l'enceinte étant supposée enlevée ;
  • la figure 2 est une coupe selon la ligne 11/11 de la figure 1 ;
  • la figure 3 est une coupe selon la ligne III/III de la figure 2, avec arrachement partiel de la paroi de l'enceinte ;
  • la figure 4 est une vue identique à la figure 2 mais montrant le dispositif de transfert en cours d'entraînement des bacs ;
  • la figure 5 montre, à plus grande échelle, des détails de guidage et d'entraînement du dispositif de transfert.
In the accompanying drawings given solely by way of nonlimiting example:
  • Figure 1 shows, schematically and in top view, an installation according to the invention, the upper wall of the enclosure being assumed removed;
  • Figure 2 is a section along line 11/11 of Figure 1;
  • Figure 3 is a section along line III / III of Figure 2, partially cut away from the wall of the enclosure;
  • Figure 4 is a view identical to Figure 2 but showing the transfer device during training of the trays;
  • FIG. 5 shows, on a larger scale, details of guiding and driving the transfer device.

Selon le mode de réalisation représenté sur les dessins, l'installation comporte essentiellement une enceinte ou cuve 10 de forme générale parallélépipédique, susceptible d'être mise sous vide et fermée, à ses deux extrémités opposées, par des portes 11, 12 munies chacune d'un hublot 11 a, 12a permettant le contrôle visuel des produits en cours de traitement. A l'intérieur de l'enceinte 10 sont montées deux séries d'étagères ou plaques superposées 20 et 30 destinées à recevoir des bacs B contenant les produits à lyophiliser, ainsi qu'un dispositif de transfert 40 pour faire passer les bacs B des étagères de la série`20 à celles de la série 30.According to the embodiment shown in the drawings, the installation essentially comprises an enclosure or tank 10 of generally parallelepipedal shape, capable of being placed under vacuum and closed, at its two opposite ends, by doors 11, 12 each provided with 'a window 11a, 12a allowing visual control of the products being processed. Inside the enclosure 10 are mounted two series of superimposed shelves or plates 20 and 30 intended to receive bins B containing the products to be lyophilized, as well as a transfer device 40 for passing the bins B from the shelves from the 20 series to the 30 series.

Les étagères superposées 20a, 20b, 20c... et 30a, 30b, 30c... des séries 20 et 30 sont munies de moyens de refroidissement et de chauffage connus, constitués par exemple par des serpentins (non représentés), dans lesquels circule un fluide réfrigérant et un fluide réchauffant respectivement. On a indiqué en 21, 22 et 31, 32 les canalisations entre ces serpentins et les sources nécessaires de fluides réfrigérant et réchauffant (non représentées). Les étagères 20a, 20b, 20c... et 30a, 30b, 30c sont munies, en outre, de rebords latéraux 23a, 23b, 23c et 33a, 33b, 33c... permettant le guidage des bacs B pendant leur translation.The superimposed shelves 20a, 20b, 20c ... and 30a, 30b, 30c ... of the series 20 and 30 are provided with known cooling and heating means, constituted for example by coils (not shown), in which circulates a cooling fluid and a heating fluid respectively. The lines between these coils and the necessary sources of cooling and heating fluids (not shown) have been indicated at 21, 22 and 31, 32. The shelves 20a, 20b, 20c ... and 30a, 30b, 30c are further provided with side edges 23a, 23b, 23c and 33a, 33b, 33c ... allows both the guidance of the tanks B during their translation.

Les températures des fluides réfrigérant et réchauffant doivent être respectivement inférieure et supérieure à 0 0 C de façon à permettre la congélation des substances aqueuses contenues dans les produits à lyophiliser, puis la sublimation, sous vide, de ces substances aqueuses. Ces températures peuvent être par exemple de - 40 °C et + 40 °C.The temperatures of the refrigerant and heating fluids must be respectively less than and greater than 0 ° C. so as to allow the freezing of the aqueous substances contained in the products to be lyophilized, then the sublimation, under vacuum, of these aqueous substances. These temperatures can be, for example, -40 ° C and + 40 ° C.

De plus, chaque étagère 20a, 20b, 20c... de la série d'étagères froides 20 est coplanaire à une étagère 30a, 30b, 30c... de la série d'étagères chaudes 30.In addition, each shelf 20a, 20b, 20c ... of the series of cold shelves 20 is coplanar with a shelf 30a, 30b, 30c ... of the series of hot shelves 30.

Le dispositif de transfert, désigné d'une façon générale par 40, comporte un cadre 41 mobile en translation dans un sens et dans l'autre dans l'enceinte 10 et sur lequel est articulé un organe de poussée des bacs 42 et un mécanisme 43 pour entraîner ledit cadre en translation.The transfer device, generally designated by 40, comprises a frame 41 movable in translation in one direction and in the other in the enclosure 10 and on which is articulated a pushing member of the tanks 42 and a mechanism 43 to drive said frame in translation.

Le cadre 41 est formé de deux joues latérales identiques 410 munies de galets de supportage 411 qui roulent sur des rails horizontaux 15 fixés sur les parois internes de l'enceinte 10 et de galets presseurs 413 en appui sur les parois latérales de ladite enceinte. Les joues 410 sont munies également de crémaillères 415 pour l'entraînement en translation du cadre 41.The frame 41 is formed of two identical side cheeks 410 provided with support rollers 411 which roll on horizontal rails 15 fixed on the internal walls of the enclosure 10 and pressure rollers 413 bearing on the side walls of said enclosure. The cheeks 410 are also provided with racks 415 for the translational drive of the frame 41.

L'organe de poussée des bacs 42 comporte un ensemble de barrettes horizontales 420 fixées sur deux montants 421 articulés, par l'intermédiaire de biellettes 422, sur le cadre 41. Chaque montant 421 est muni, à sa partie inférieure, d'un galet 423 coopérant avec une rampe ou came fixe 13 montée sur l'enceinte. Le profil de la rampe 13 est prévu pour commander le positionnement de l'organe 42 par rapport au cadre 41 de façon que les barettes 420 occupent soit une position basse permettant la mise en place des bacs B sur les étagères 20a, 20b, etc... (figure 2 et traits pleins de la figure 5), soit une position haute de façon à engager lesdits bacs B et les entraîner en translation, des étagères de la série 20 sur celles de la série 30 (figure 4 et tirets de la figure 5). La rampe 13 est munie, à cet effet, au voisinage de son extrémité de gauche (en regardant la figure 2) d'une portion fortement inclinée 13a.The pushing member of the trays 42 comprises a set of horizontal bars 420 fixed on two uprights 421 articulated, by means of links 422, on the frame 41. Each upright 421 is provided, at its lower part, with a roller 423 cooperating with a fixed ramp or cam 13 mounted on the enclosure. The profile of the ramp 13 is provided for controlling the positioning of the member 42 relative to the frame 41 so that the bars 420 occupy either a low position allowing the placing of the trays B on the shelves 20a, 20b, etc. .. (Figure 2 and solid lines in Figure 5), or a high position so as to engage said bins B and drive them in translation, shelves of the series 20 on those of the series 30 (Figure 4 and dashes of the figure 5). The ramp 13 is provided, for this purpose, in the vicinity of its left end (looking at Figure 2) with a sharply inclined portion 13a.

Le mécanisme 43 d'entraînement en translation du cadre 41 comporte deux arbres 430 montés verticalement et rotativement dans l'enceinte 10, chaque arbre 430 étant muni de deux séries de cannelures 431 prévues pour engrener avec les crémaillères 415 montées sur les deux joues latérales 410 dudit cadre 41 (voir la figure 5). L'entraînement en rotation de chaque arbre 430 est assuré par un même moteur électrique 432 situé à l'extérieur de l'enceinte, par l'intermédiaire d'un renvoi à angle droit 433, d'une transmission de tout type connu, indiquée en 434 prévue pour que les deux arbres 430 tournent en synchronisme et en sens contraire et d'un pignon 435 claveté à la partie supérieure dudit arbre 430, lequel traverse la paroi de l'enceinte 10. Un joint 436 assurant l'étanchéité sous vide est prévu à cet effet.The mechanism 43 for translational drive of the frame 41 comprises two shafts 430 mounted vertically and rotatably in the enclosure 10, each shaft 430 being provided with two series of grooves 431 intended to mesh with the racks 415 mounted on the two lateral cheeks 410 of said frame 41 (see FIG. 5). The rotation drive of each shaft 430 is provided by the same electric motor 432 located outside the enclosure, by means of a right angle gear 433, of a transmission of any known type, indicated in 434 provided so that the two shafts 430 rotate in synchronism and in opposite directions and of a pinion 435 keyed to the upper part of said shaft 430, which crosses the wall of the enclosure 10. A seal 436 ensuring vacuum sealing is provided for this purpose.

Dans l'enceinte 10, et solidaires de cette dernière, sont montés des galets de guidage supérieurs et inférieurs 16 et 17 respectivement qui assurent un déplacement rectiligne du cadre 41 en s'opposant à la poussée latérale exercée sur ledit cadre au niveau des crémaillères. Les galets 16 sont en appui sur les faces internes de la partie supérieure des joues 410 tandis que les galets 17 sont en appui sur des cornières 414 fixées à la partie inférieure des joues 410.In the enclosure 10, and integral with the latter, are mounted upper and lower guide rollers 16 and 17 respectively which ensure a rectilinear movement of the frame 41 by opposing the lateral thrust exerted on said frame at the racks. The rollers 16 are supported on the internal faces of the upper part of the cheeks 410 while the rollers 17 are supported on angles 414 fixed to the lower part of the cheeks 410.

Entre les deux séries d'étagères 20 et 30 est prévu un ensemble de volets escamotables 50 montés relativement sur des axes 51. Ces volets 50 occupent normalement, grâce à un contrepoids ou à un ressort (non représenté), une position verticale mais prennent une position horizontale sous l'effet d'une poussée exercée soit par les bacs lorsque ceux-ci passent des étagères 20 vers les étagères 30, soit par les barrettes lors du mouvement en sens inverse du cadre 41.Between the two series of shelves 20 and 30 is provided a set of retractable flaps 50 mounted relatively on axes 51. These flaps 50 normally occupy, by virtue of a counterweight or a spring (not shown), a vertical position but take a horizontal position under the effect of a thrust exerted either by the trays when they pass from the shelves 20 towards the shelves 30, or by the bars during the movement in the opposite direction of the frame 41.

L'installation fonctionne de la façon suivante : après avoir amené les étagères 20 à la température négative prédéterminée, on met les bacs B en position, manuellement ou automatiquement, sur lesdites étagères afin d'obtenir la congélation des produits. Puis, dès que ladite température de congélation est obtenue, on met l'enceinte sous vide et on procède à la sublimation en faisant passer les bacs B des plaques froides 20 vers les plaques chaudes 30. Pour cela, on met en marche le moteur 432 qui, par l'intermédiaire des arbres 430, entraîne en translation, de gauche à droite en regardant les figures 2 et 4, le cadre 41.The installation operates as follows: after bringing the shelves 20 to the predetermined negative temperature, the tanks B are placed in position, manually or automatically, on said shelves in order to obtain the freezing of the products. Then, as soon as said freezing temperature is obtained, the chamber is placed under vacuum and sublimation is carried out by passing the tanks B from the cold plates 20 to the hot plates 30. For this, the engine 432 is started. which, by means of the shafts 430, drives in translation, from left to right while looking at FIGS. 2 and 4, the frame 41.

L'organe de poussée des bacs 42 passe alors en position haute, de sorte que chacune des barettes 420 vient au contact d'un bac et entraîne ce dernier en translation ainsi qu'éventuellement ceux qui le précèdent. Chaque volet 50 s'efface dès qu'il est heurté par un bac pour ne reprendre sa position première verticale qu'après le passage du ou desdits bacs. Les bacs étant alors en position sur les étagères 30 on fait circuler le fluide réchauffant jusqu'à l'achèvement de la phase de sublimation. Les bacs et les produits qu'ils contiennent peuvent être évacués ensuite par la porte de déchargement 12. En faisant tourner le moteur 432 en sens inverse, on ramène le cadre 41, de gauche à droite, à sa position première, les barrettes 420 effaçant au passage les volets 50.The pushing member of the tanks 42 then passes into the high position, so that each of the bars 420 comes into contact with a tank and drives the latter in translation as well as possibly those which precede it. Each flap 50 is erased as soon as it is struck by a container in order to return to its first vertical position only after the passage (s) of said container (s). The tanks are then in position on the shelves 30, the heating fluid is circulated until the completion of the sublimation phase. The trays and the products they contain can then be evacuated by the unloading door 12. By turning the motor 432 in the opposite direction, the frame 41 is returned, from left to right, to its first position, the bars 420 erasing in passing the flaps 50.

On pourrait apporter au mode de réalisation décrit et représenté de nombreuses variantes sans pour autant sortir du cadre de l'invention.Numerous variants could be made to the embodiment described and shown without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (9)

1. Installation for lyophilizing products in successive batches, of the type comprising a casing (10) forming a single compartment during the whole lyophilization cycle and in the interior of which are mounted superimposed racks (20, 30) provided with cooling and heating means and supporting receptacles (B) containing the said products, characterized in that the said racks form two distinct series, namely a first series of freezing racks (20) provided only with means for cooling to a temperature lower than 0 °C and a second series of sublimation racks (30) provided only with means for heating to a temperature above 0 °C, in that a transferring device (40) is provided to cause the receptacles (B) to pass from the racks of the first series (20) to those of the second series (30), and in that it is provided with means for putting the whole of the casing (10) under vacuum during the sublimation.
2. Installation according to claim 1, characterized in that the racks (20a, 20b ...) of one series (20) are coplanar to the racks (30a, 30b ...) of the other series (30) and that the said transferring device (40) is provided to cause the receptacles (B) of one rack (20a, 20b, ...) to slide to the corresponding rack (30a, 30b, ...).
3. Installation according to claim 2, characterized in that the casing (10) is provided between the two series of racks (20, 30) with an assembly of folding flaps (50) forming a thermal barrier between these two series.
4. Installation according to claim 2, characterized in that the said transferring device (40) comprises a frame (41) translatory movable within the said casing (10) and provided with an element (42) for pushing the receptacles (B) and a mechanism (43) for translating this frame.
5. Installation according to claim 4, characterized in that the frame (41) comprises two lateral jaws (410) provided with rollers (411) displacing on the rails (15) secured to the casing (10), and pressure rollers (413) cooperating with the walls of the casing (10).
6. Installation according to claim 5, characterized in that the element (42) pushing the receptacles (B) comprises an assembly of horizontal rods (420) hinged to the said frame (41) and vertically movable relative to the latter, said assembly (420) being provided with rollers (423) cooperating with cams (13) secured to the casing (10) for controlling the positioning thereof relative to the frame (41).
7. Installation according to claim 6, characterized in that the said driving mechanism (43) comprises shafts (430) rotatably and vertically mounted in the said casing (10) and provided with gearing means (431) cooperating with toothed racks (415) secured to jaws (410) of the said frame (41), these shafts (430) being driven rotatably by a single motor (432) situated outside the casing.
8. Installation according to claim 2, characterized in that the said casing (10) is provided with
two gates (10, 12) located at the two opposite ends thereof according to the translating direction of the receptacles (B).
EP82401135A 1981-07-01 1982-06-22 Lyophilizing installation having two series of racks Expired EP0069005B2 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AT82401135T ATE8707T1 (en) 1981-07-01 1982-06-22 LYOPHILIZATION LINE WITH TWO SHELVES BY SHELVES.

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR8112926 1981-07-01
FR8112926A FR2508993A1 (en) 1981-07-01 1981-07-01 DOUBLE SERIES DISPLACEMENT LYOPHILIZATION SYSTEM

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0069005A1 EP0069005A1 (en) 1983-01-05
EP0069005B1 EP0069005B1 (en) 1984-07-25
EP0069005B2 true EP0069005B2 (en) 1989-07-19

Family

ID=9260069

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP82401135A Expired EP0069005B2 (en) 1981-07-01 1982-06-22 Lyophilizing installation having two series of racks

Country Status (7)

Country Link
US (1) US4449305A (en)
EP (1) EP0069005B2 (en)
JP (1) JPS5849884A (en)
AT (1) ATE8707T1 (en)
CA (1) CA1189319A (en)
DE (1) DE3260464D1 (en)
FR (1) FR2508993A1 (en)

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US4745771A (en) * 1983-08-23 1988-05-24 Board Of Regents, The University Of Texas System Apparatus and method for cryopreparing biological tissue for ultrastructural analysis
US4676070A (en) * 1984-11-30 1987-06-30 The Board Of Regents, The University Of Texas Apparatus and method for cryopreparing biological tissue
US4742690A (en) * 1983-08-23 1988-05-10 Board Of Regents, The University Of Texas System Apparatus and method for cryopreparing biological tissue for ultrastructural analysis
US4624512A (en) * 1985-06-10 1986-11-25 Hull Corporation Processing cabinet with sub-door access
US5044165A (en) * 1986-12-03 1991-09-03 Board Of Regents, The University Of Texas Cryo-slammer
DE4000913A1 (en) * 1990-01-15 1991-09-12 Leybold Ag METHOD AND DEVICE FOR FREEZING A PRODUCT SUBJECT TO FREEZING DRYING
US6122836A (en) * 1998-05-07 2000-09-26 S.P. Industries, Inc., The Virtis Division Freeze drying apparatus and method employing vapor flow monitoring and/or vacuum pressure control
JP3653239B2 (en) * 2001-06-14 2005-05-25 共和真空技術株式会社 Freeze-drying equipment for food and medicine
US7347004B1 (en) 2005-01-13 2008-03-25 Lyophilization Services Of New England, Inc. Freeze drying apparatus and method
GB0525115D0 (en) * 2005-12-09 2006-01-18 Oxford Biosensors Ltd Freeze drying of target substances
US9121637B2 (en) * 2013-06-25 2015-09-01 Millrock Technology Inc. Using surface heat flux measurement to monitor and control a freeze drying process
US10605527B2 (en) 2015-09-22 2020-03-31 Millrock Technology, Inc. Apparatus and method for developing freeze drying protocols using small batches of product
US10113797B2 (en) * 2016-09-09 2018-10-30 Sp Industries, Inc. Energy recovery in a freeze-drying system
CN107830689A (en) * 2017-10-31 2018-03-23 山东华玫生物科技有限公司 A kind of rose industrialization freezes production system and technique
US11287185B1 (en) 2020-09-09 2022-03-29 Stay Fresh Technology, LLC Freeze drying with constant-pressure and constant-temperature phases

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US3242575A (en) * 1960-11-05 1966-03-29 Manaresi Alessandra Lyophilization apparatus
DE1198294B (en) * 1963-04-06 1965-08-05 Leybold Hochvakuum Anlagen Continuously working freeze-drying chamber for goods in trays that will later serve as packaging
FR1398067A (en) * 1964-03-25 1965-05-07 Bonnet Ets Improvements made to lyophilization devices
FR1415793A (en) * 1964-09-18 1965-10-29 Bonnet Ets Improvements to lyophilization devices and processes
US3667135A (en) * 1970-12-24 1972-06-06 Horton John T Vibratory conveyor system
US3740860A (en) * 1972-07-31 1973-06-26 Smitherm Industries Freeze drying method and apparatus
JPS5432180A (en) * 1977-08-17 1979-03-09 Nitto Electric Ind Co Ltd Tubular membrane separator

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US4449305A (en) 1984-05-22
EP0069005A1 (en) 1983-01-05
EP0069005B1 (en) 1984-07-25
FR2508993B1 (en) 1983-11-04
CA1189319A (en) 1985-06-25
FR2508993A1 (en) 1983-01-07
JPS5849884A (en) 1983-03-24
DE3260464D1 (en) 1984-08-30
ATE8707T1 (en) 1984-08-15

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