US3668819A - Vacuum drying and stoppering apparatus - Google Patents
Vacuum drying and stoppering apparatus Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US3668819A US3668819A US113182A US3668819DA US3668819A US 3668819 A US3668819 A US 3668819A US 113182 A US113182 A US 113182A US 3668819D A US3668819D A US 3668819DA US 3668819 A US3668819 A US 3668819A
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- shelves
- bottles
- fingers
- posts
- caps
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
- 238000001291 vacuum drying Methods 0.000 title abstract description 11
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 4
- 230000003028 elevating effect Effects 0.000 claims description 4
- 230000000284 resting effect Effects 0.000 claims 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 4
- 210000002105 tongue Anatomy 0.000 description 3
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000001035 drying Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229960000074 biopharmaceutical Drugs 0.000 description 1
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000004519 grease Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 description 1
- 210000003141 lower extremity Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 238000005461 lubrication Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000717 retained effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002441 reversible effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- 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
- F26B5/044—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 for drying materials in a batch operation in an enclosure having a plurality of shelves which may be heated
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B31/00—Packaging articles or materials under special atmospheric or gaseous conditions; Adding propellants to aerosol containers
- B65B31/02—Filling, closing, or filling and closing, containers or wrappers in chambers maintained under vacuum or superatmospheric pressure or containing a special atmosphere, e.g. of inert gas
- B65B31/025—Filling, closing, or filling and closing, containers or wrappers in chambers maintained under vacuum or superatmospheric pressure or containing a special atmosphere, e.g. of inert gas specially adapted for rigid or semi-rigid containers
- B65B31/027—Filling, closing, or filling and closing, containers or wrappers in chambers maintained under vacuum or superatmospheric pressure or containing a special atmosphere, e.g. of inert gas specially adapted for rigid or semi-rigid containers closed by a stopper
Definitions
- This invention relates to a process and apparatus for drying materials, such as biologicals, in vacuo and stoppering bottles containing the material with caps while still under vacuum.
- a series of vertically movable shelves are supported in vertically spaced disposition within a vacuum drying chamber, each of the shelves holding a plurality of containers with the material to be dried therebetween.
- Means are provided to move the shelves toward each other such that the containers with caps loosely retained in the mouths thereof become stoppered. Thereafter, the shelves are retracted to their initial position for insertion of new containers holding material to be subjected to vacuum drying and sealing.
- Another object of this invention is to provide a vacuum drying and stoppering apparatus-in which the initial positions of each of the elevating shelves supported therein are infinitely adjustable.
- Another object is to provide practically complete accessibility to the interior of the chamber for cleaning where shelves are fully retracted in the up" position.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view, and partly broken away, of a vacuum drying and stoppering apparatus embodying the present invention.
- FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along lines 2-2 of FIG. 1.
- FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along lines 3-3 of FIG. 1.
- FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along lines 4-4 of FIG. 3.
- a vacuum drying and stoppering apparatus comprising a cabinet, generally designated as A, a plurality of vertically movable shelves, generally designated as B, and a drive C for drawing the lowermost shelf Bl upwardly to effect capping of containers D therebetween.
- the cabinet A is generally conventional and includes a substantially rectangular insulated housing 12 to the front of which is hinged a door 14.
- a suitable latch is utilized to secure the door in hermetically sealed disposition against the housing, and one or more porthole-type windows 16 permit observation of the interior of the cabinet A when the door is closed.
- a conduit 18 couples the interior of the housing 12 with a vacuum pump (not shown) to permit evacuation of the cabinet.
- the shelves B each constitutes a flat plate 20 of generally rectangular configuration and having four symmetrically disposed tongues 22 affixed to and outwardly extending from the sides thereof.
- each of the plates 20, except the lowermost shelf B1 has four L-shaped foot members 24 affixed to the lateral edges adjacent the tongues 22. It is to be observed that the feet 24 are sequentially retracted in position as the level ascends in order to avoid interference with keeper fingers 26 adjustably mounted on posts E during shelf elevation. It is also to be noted that the lengths of the keeper fingers 26 progressively decrease as the level increases.
- Each of the posts E comprises a channel shaped member 28 which is affixed securely to the cabinet frame 30.
- the tongues 22 of the plates 20 are slidably received in and are guided by the recess within the guide channel members 28.
- the channel members 28 also have a longitudinal slot 32 which extends almost from end to end.
- the channel itself is milled to receive the squared off head of each of a plurality of bolts 34 which pass through corresponding apertures 36 in the keeper fingers 26 and thence through a longitudinal slot 38 disposed in clamping strip 40.
- the shelf keeper fingers 26 are held in position by the frictional effect of clamping strip 40 when the nuts 35 are threadedly tightened on the respective bolts 34.
- the heads of the bolts 34 are flattened at their edges and slidably restrained within the guide channel 28, the need for double wrench operation is eliminated.
- the keeper fingers 26 are of T-shaped configuration, the central portion being apertured to receive the bolt 34 and the cap 26a abutting against the side of the guide channel 26 and the edge of the clamping strip 40.
- the lowermost shelf BI is suspended upon four downwardly depending rods 42 which carry at their lower extremities transversely extending interconnecting angle members 44.
- the upper portions of the rods 42 pass through seals 46 in the roof of the cabinet A, and the front and back pairs of rods are coupled to cross beams 48.
- the cross beams 48 are secured at each end upon pads 50.
- the pads 50 are mounted upon screws 52 which are in intermeshing engagement with transverse drive worms 54 oriented at right angles thereto.
- Each of the drive junctions of the worms 54 and the screws 52 is enclosed in a corresponding casing 56, the lower ends of the screws being enclosed within grease wells 58 to insure adequate lubrication of the right angle drives.
- the intermediate portions of the worms 54 are interconnected by jack shafts 60.
- the main drive system C for the elevating mechanism comprises a reversible drive motor 62 whose shaft 64 is coupled to a pair of right angle bevel gear drives 66 and 68.
- the drive 66 includes a bevel gear 68 mounted on shaft 64 and in intermeshing engagement with bevel gear 70 whose shaft 72 is coupled to the rear set of drives 56.
- Drive 68 is interconnected to drive 66 via interconnecting shaft 74 and turns the front set of right angle worm drives 56 through shaft 78.
- the lowermost shelf B1 is elevated until all of the plates 20 are telescoped together. Then, starting with the first shelf B at the top, the nuts 35 holding the keepers 26 are loosened and the lowermost shelf BI lowered until the spacing between the upper shelf and the ceiling stop B2 is such as will accommodate the bottle sizes placed on the upper shelf. The keepers on the first level are then tightened. The second level of nuts 35 from the top are then loosened and the carriage of shelves B further lowered until the spacing between the top and second shelf is appropriate for the size of vials, containers or bottles D to be carried on that second shelf. The nuts 35 of the second level are then tightened to position the second level of keepers. The process is continued down the line until the spacing between the lowermost shelf B1 and the next to the bottom shelf is appropriate for its particular size of containers D.
- the adjustment between shelves is substantially infinite and continuous.
- the spacing between shelves at any particular level can be adapted almost as desired within the limits of total spacing.
- each of said guide posts is channel shaped.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Molecular Biology (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Dispersion Chemistry (AREA)
- Drying Of Solid Materials (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims (3)
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US11318271A | 1971-02-08 | 1971-02-08 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| US3668819A true US3668819A (en) | 1972-06-13 |
Family
ID=22348016
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| US113182A Expired - Lifetime US3668819A (en) | 1971-02-08 | 1971-02-08 | Vacuum drying and stoppering apparatus |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US3668819A (en) |
Cited By (8)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3775942A (en) * | 1972-06-08 | 1973-12-04 | Pennwalt Corp | Vacuum stoppering apparatus with pegboard shelf adjustment |
| DE3200540A1 (en) * | 1981-06-16 | 1982-12-30 | Hull Corp., 19040 Hatboro, Pa. | CONTAINER LOCKING DEVICE WITH ADJUSTABLE COMPARTMENTS |
| WO1987005944A1 (en) * | 1986-03-24 | 1987-10-08 | Officine Di Cartigliano S.P.A. | Vacuum drying machine for tanned skins, with multiple work surfaces |
| US5033206A (en) * | 1989-02-15 | 1991-07-23 | Officine Di Cartigliano S.P.A. | Vacuum drying machine with multiple tables for industrial hides and similar products |
| US20130205719A1 (en) * | 2010-08-06 | 2013-08-15 | Emma J. Wensley | Vial preparation method and system |
| CN104315809A (en) * | 2014-09-28 | 2015-01-28 | 四川德成动物保健品有限公司 | Traditional Chinese medicine raw material drying room with conveniently adjusted tray rack |
| US20180023893A1 (en) * | 2015-02-04 | 2018-01-25 | Project Pharmaceutics Gmbh | Method and device for optimized freeze-drying of a pharmaceutical product |
| US20180141207A1 (en) * | 2015-05-11 | 2018-05-24 | Gebo Cermex Canada Inc. | Vertical accumulation in a treatment line |
Citations (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US2792678A (en) * | 1953-12-03 | 1957-05-21 | Jr Earl M Baldwin | Apparatus for capping vacuum bottles |
| US3537233A (en) * | 1967-08-15 | 1970-11-03 | Hull Corp | Container stoppering apparatus |
-
1971
- 1971-02-08 US US113182A patent/US3668819A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Patent Citations (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US2792678A (en) * | 1953-12-03 | 1957-05-21 | Jr Earl M Baldwin | Apparatus for capping vacuum bottles |
| US3537233A (en) * | 1967-08-15 | 1970-11-03 | Hull Corp | Container stoppering apparatus |
Cited By (12)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3775942A (en) * | 1972-06-08 | 1973-12-04 | Pennwalt Corp | Vacuum stoppering apparatus with pegboard shelf adjustment |
| DE3200540A1 (en) * | 1981-06-16 | 1982-12-30 | Hull Corp., 19040 Hatboro, Pa. | CONTAINER LOCKING DEVICE WITH ADJUSTABLE COMPARTMENTS |
| WO1987005944A1 (en) * | 1986-03-24 | 1987-10-08 | Officine Di Cartigliano S.P.A. | Vacuum drying machine for tanned skins, with multiple work surfaces |
| US5056239A (en) * | 1986-03-24 | 1991-10-15 | Officine Di Cartigliano | Vacuum drying machine for tanned skins, with multiple work surfaces |
| US5033206A (en) * | 1989-02-15 | 1991-07-23 | Officine Di Cartigliano S.P.A. | Vacuum drying machine with multiple tables for industrial hides and similar products |
| US20130205719A1 (en) * | 2010-08-06 | 2013-08-15 | Emma J. Wensley | Vial preparation method and system |
| US10364053B2 (en) * | 2010-08-06 | 2019-07-30 | Hospira Australia Pty Ltd | Vial preparation method and system |
| CN104315809A (en) * | 2014-09-28 | 2015-01-28 | 四川德成动物保健品有限公司 | Traditional Chinese medicine raw material drying room with conveniently adjusted tray rack |
| US20180023893A1 (en) * | 2015-02-04 | 2018-01-25 | Project Pharmaceutics Gmbh | Method and device for optimized freeze-drying of a pharmaceutical product |
| US10809002B2 (en) * | 2015-02-04 | 2020-10-20 | Project Pharmaceutics Gmbh | Method and device for optimized freeze-drying of a pharmaceutical product |
| US20180141207A1 (en) * | 2015-05-11 | 2018-05-24 | Gebo Cermex Canada Inc. | Vertical accumulation in a treatment line |
| US10537989B2 (en) * | 2015-05-11 | 2020-01-21 | Sidel Canada | Vertical accumulation in a treatment line |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| US3668819A (en) | Vacuum drying and stoppering apparatus | |
| CA2065353A1 (en) | Method and apparatus for subjecting produce to a controlled atmosphere | |
| DE2539818C3 (en) | Freeze dryer | |
| CA957044A (en) | Method and apparatus for manipulating discrete discharges in a multiple discharge gaseous discharge panel | |
| GB1299345A (en) | Method of and apparatus for stacking and unstacking barrels | |
| US3775942A (en) | Vacuum stoppering apparatus with pegboard shelf adjustment | |
| US2844263A (en) | Article transfer mechanism | |
| DE2838170C2 (en) | Food freezer | |
| GB1171544A (en) | Improvements in or relating to a Method and Apparatus for Mechanically Filling with Liquid, Sealing and Handling Containers | |
| CA964565A (en) | Method and apparatus for hermetically sealing a rigid panel | |
| US3175337A (en) | Container headspacer | |
| JPH08113313A (en) | Method for loading and unloading small chemical containers filled with chemical solution to be dried in freeze dryer | |
| DE2122648B2 (en) | DEVICE FOR EVACUATING AND SEALING PLASTIC BAGS CONTAINING FILLING MATERIAL IN A VACUUM CHAMBER | |
| GB675016A (en) | Improvements in or relating to partitioning apparatus for buildings | |
| CN119637204A (en) | A vacuum packaging machine for marinated products | |
| SU897644A1 (en) | Device for compacting prior to bundling of article stack | |
| FR2294943A1 (en) | Temporary storage unit for ceramic tiles, etc. - has frame with vertical columns, having horizontal parallel consoles | |
| CN222117254U (en) | Full-automatic food packaging machine | |
| GB1078592A (en) | Improvements relating to extractor handling devices | |
| ITMI20000449A1 (en) | PACKAGING MACHINE FOR PRODUCTS WITH SINGLE-BENDED HEAT-SHRINK FILM | |
| US3054241A (en) | Sealing machine and method | |
| CN220723522U (en) | Bottle cap sealing equipment for glass bottle | |
| CN210594250U (en) | Shrink packing machine is with preventing mechanical jamming equipment | |
| SU1048000A1 (en) | Apparatus for packing cathodes | |
| SU368136A1 (en) | DEVICE FOR TRANSPORTATION OF SHEET |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| AS | Assignment |
Owner name: STOKES VACUUM, INC.,PENNSYLVANIA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:PENWALT CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:004944/0347 Effective date: 19880901 Owner name: STOKES VACUUM, INC., 5500 TABOR ROAD PHILADELPHIA, Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:PENWALT CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:004944/0347 Effective date: 19880901 |
|
| AS | Assignment |
Owner name: STOKES VACUUM INC., 5500 TABOR RD., PHILADELPHIA, Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:PENNWALT CORPORATION, A CORP. OF PA;REEL/FRAME:004999/0048 Effective date: 19880901 Owner name: STOKES VACUUM INC., PENNSYLVANIA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:PENNWALT CORPORATION, A CORP. OF PA;REEL/FRAME:004999/0048 Effective date: 19880901 |