Method and apparatus for handling and processing of material and devices for freeze-drying
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).
1 . 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 vacuum release located on a surface of the container, wherein the vacuum release is configured to release the vacuum for the bulk sealable tray,
the bulk sealable tray is configured for sealing by pressing together the container, the seal, and the lid and creating the vacuum using the vacuum port thereby causing the container, the seal, and the lid to seal the bulk sealable tray,
upon sealing the bulk sealable tray, the bulk sealable tray is configured for placement in a freeze drying apparatus, and
upon being placed in the freeze drying apparatus, the container is configured to open when the vacuum is reduced to a vacuum level below that of the container.
2 . The bulk sealable tray of claim 1 , further comprising:
a filter configured for placement between the container and the lid for preventing particulate loss.
3 . The bulk sealable tray of claim 1 , further comprising:
one or more fasteners configured to maintain sealing of the bulk sealable tray by fastening the lid to the container.
4 . The bulk sealable tray of claim 1 , further comprising:
a mechanical latch configured to latch the container to the lid, wherein the bulk sealable tray is sealable via the mechanical latch.
5 . The bulk sealable tray of claim 1 , wherein the seal is configured for integration with the lid and/or the container.
6 . The bulk sealable tray of claim 1 , wherein the lid is composed of a material including any of glass, metal, or plastic.
7 . The bulk sealable tray of claim 1 , wherein the container includes one or more device holders configured to allow one or more devices to stay in place within the container.
8 . The bulk sealable tray of claim 1 , further comprising a fill port configured to fill the container with product.
9 . The bulk sealable tray of claim 1 , wherein the bulk sealable tray is further configured to be placed in storage, or to be placed in storage and later placed in the freeze drying apparatus.
10 . The bulk sealable tray of claim 1 , wherein the container further comprises a lid lifting mechanism configured to, at least, enable opening of the bulk sealable tray.
11 . A sealable tray, comprising:
a container having a shape for containing product;
a seal;
a lid configured to seal the tray via coupling with the seal and the container; and
a filter configured for placement between the container and the lid for preventing particulate loss, wherein
the container includes:
a port configured to, at least, introduce a vacuum for the sealable tray; and
a vacuum release located on a surface of the container, wherein the vacuum release is configured to release the vacuum for the sealable tray,
the sealable tray is configured for sealing by pressing together the container, the seal, and the lid and creating the vacuum using the port thereby causing the container, the seal, and the lid to couple together to seal the sealable tray,
upon sealing the sealable tray, the sealable tray is configured for placement in a freeze drying apparatus, and
upon being placed in the freeze drying apparatus, the container is configured to open when the vacuum is reduced to a vacuum level below that of the container.
12 . The sealable tray of claim 11 , further comprising:
one or more fasteners configured to maintain sealing of the sealable tray by fastening the lid to the container.
13 . The sealable tray of claim 11 , wherein the shape of the container is an elongated rectangle shape.
14 . The sealable tray of claim 11 , wherein the shape of the container is a circular or oval shape.
15 . A sealable tray, comprising:
a container having a shape for containing product;
a seal;
a lid configured to seal the tray via coupling with the seal and the container; and
a filter configured for placement between the container and the lid for preventing particulate loss, wherein
the container includes:
a port configured to, at least, introduce a vacuum for the sealable tray; and
a mechanical latch,
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,
upon sealing the sealable tray, the sealable tray is configured for placement in a freeze drying apparatus, and
upon being placed in the freeze drying apparatus, the container is configured to open when the mechanical latch is operated.
16 . The sealable tray of claim 15 , further comprising:
one or more fasteners configured to maintain sealing of the sealable tray by fastening the lid to the container.
17 . The sealable tray of claim 15 , wherein the seal is configured for integration with the lid.
18 . The sealable tray of claim 15 , wherein the seal is configured for integration with the container.