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 pushing out direction parallel to the second flat supporting surface (58).
Abstract:
A method is described for determining a characteristic, such as the mass, of each of a plurality of samples. The method comprises the steps of providing a plurality of coil elements each for surrounding a respective sample, causing the samples to enter an interrogation zone, each sample being surrounded by a respective coil element when it is located within the interrogation zone, applying a magnetic field in a first direction in the interrogation zone for creating in a pre-polarised state a net nuclear magnetisation of a nuclear spin species within a sample located in the interrogation zone, applying, by each coil element surrounding a respective sample located in the interrogation zone, an RF field in a second direction for temporarily changing the net nuclear magnetisation of the nuclear spin species in the sample, detecting RF energy emitted from that sample as the net nuclear magnetisation of the nuclear spin species in the sample relaxes, and, from the detected RF energy, determining the characteristic of each sample located in the interrogation zone.
Abstract:
A conveying system comprises a rotating surface (18); a first conveyor for conveying upright articles (16) towards a transfer device for transferring articles from the first conveyor (12) to the rotating surface (18), the transfer device comprising a guide surface (24) moving at a substantially constant speed towards the rotating surface and extending obliquely over the first conveyor (12) and the rotating surface (18); a second conveyor (66); and a curved guide surface (38) for guiding articles transferred to the rotating surface (18) towards the outer periphery thereof for subsequent transfer to the second conveyer.
Abstract:
A freeze dryer (10) comprises a chamber (12) having a rectangular slot through which vials (86) are inserted into the chamber (12). An assembly for loading and/or unloading the chamber (12) comprises a transfer bar (42) extending across the slot. The bar (42) is pivotally attached at each end to first and second flat springs (46, 48), each spring being wound on a respective rotatably mounted spool (50, 52) located proximate the slot. Drive means are provided for synchronously rotating the spools (50, 52) to effect movement of the bar (42) into or out from the chamber (12) and for selectively rotating the spools (50, 52) to raise or lower the bar (52).
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. This enables the second segment (46) to continue to rotate during deceleration of the first segment and thereby to continue to convey articles to the second conveyor. The clutch arrangement (72) disconnects the second segment (46) from the second drive before it clashes with the first segment (44) or any articles (14) conveyed thereby, the torsion spring (64) automatically returning the second segment (46) to a predetermined position relative to the first segment (44) for subsequent rotation with the first segment when the first drive is switched on again.
Abstract:
A method is described for determining a characteristic, such as the mass, of each of a plurality of samples. The method comprises the steps of providing a plurality of coil elements each for surrounding a respective sample, causing the samples to enter an interrogation zone, each sample being surrounded by a respective coil element when it is located within the interrogation zone, applying a magnetic field in a first direction in the interrogation zone for creating in a pre-polarised state a net nuclear magnetisation of a nuclear spin species within a sample located in the interrogation zone, applying, by each coil element surrounding a respective sample located in the interrogation zone, an RF field in a second direction for temporarily changing the net nuclear magnetisation of the nuclear spin species in the sample, detecting RF energy emitted from that sample as the net nuclear magnetisation of the nuclear spin species in the sample relaxes, and, from the detected RF energy, determining the characteristic of each sample located in the interrogation zone.
Abstract:
A freeze dryer (10) comprises a chamber (12) housing a plate (22) from which a plurality of shelves (20) is suspended. The shelves (20) are suspended from the plate (22) by links (28) carrying stops (38) upon which the shelves (20) rest to form a stack of vertically spaced shelves. Shelf support surfaces (200) are movable relative to the chamber (12) between adjacent shelves (20) in the stack. As the shelf stack is lowered within the chamber, the movement of the uppermost of these adjacent shelves is checked by the shelf support surfaces (200) so that, with further lowering of the shelf stack, the spacing between the adjacent shelves (20) increases. This can enable a pusher bar to fit between these two shelves to remove containers from, or load containers on to, the lowermost of these two shelves.
Abstract:
A freeze dryer (10) comprises a chamber (12) having a rectangular slot through which vials are inserted into the chamber (12). An assembly for loading the chamber (12) comprises a bar (32) extending across the slot to engage vials to be inserted into the chamber (12). The bar (32) is attached to a mechanism (34) for moving the bar (32) laterally into and out from the chamber (12). In a retracted position of the bar (32), at least part of the mechanism (34) is wound around a sprocket (106). Rotation of the sprocket (106) unwinds the mechanism (34) to move the bar (32) into the chamber (12).
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 pushing out direction parallel to the second flat supporting surface (58).
Abstract:
A loading system for a freeze dryer (10) or the like comprises a plurality of transfer frames (36) each for surrounding a batch of containers to be loaded into the freeze dryer (10). A transport table (60) is moveable between a table loading position at which a loaded transfer frame (36) is moved on to the transport table, and a chamber loading position. A moveable bridge plate is positioned between a shelf (20) of the freeze dryer (10) and the chamber loading position to receive a first loaded transfer frame (36) from the transport table (60). The transfer frames (36) are provided with at least one connecting member to enable the first transfer frame to be connected to a second transfer frame when the transport table (60), bearing the second transfer frame, is returned to the chamber loading position. The first and second transfer frames (36) are then moved on to the shelf (20) of the freeze dryer (10).