Apparatus for loading and unloading freeze-drying chambers

1. In an apparatus having a supporting surface ( 3 ) for containers ( 4 ) and a device for loading and unloading said containers ( 4 ) onto said supporting surface ( 3 ), said device having a component ( 11 ) for unloading said containers from said supporting surface and a drive unit ( 12 ) for facilitating movement of said component ( 11 ) relative to a supporting surface ( 3 ), the improvement comprising:

a working plane ( 9 ) and a conveyor belt system ( 10 ) for loading and unloading said apparatus, said working plane ( 9 ) and said conveyor belt system ( 10 ) being disposed to one side of said supporting surface ( 3 );

said drive unit ( 12 ) having drive wheels ( 44 , 45 ), an articulation system ( 42 , 43 ), and a winding system ( 46 , 47 ) for winding said articulation system ( 42 , 43 );

said drive unit ( 12 ) being operable to convey said articulation system ( 42 , 43 ) along a predetermined path;

said articulation system ( 42 , 43 ) being attached to said component ( 11 ) for moving said component relative to said supporting surface ( 3 );

said drive wheels ( 44 , 45 ) being rotatable about an axis ( 40 ) wherein said axis ( 40 ) is disposed perpendicularly to said linear direction of motion of said component; and

said winding system ( 46 , 47 ) being in alignment with said drive wheels ( 44 , 45 ) wherein said conveyor belt system ( 10 ) is located between said working plane ( 9 ) and said supporting surface ( 3 );

said conveyor belt system ( 10 ) is adjacent to said working plane ( 9 ) and separated by a space from said supporting surface ( 3 ); and

an adjustable plate ( 17 ) is operable to bridge said space between said conveyor belt system ( 10 ) and said supporting surface ( 3 ); wherein

said supporting surface ( 3 ) includes a first pair of lateral bars for guiding containers ( 4 ), and

said supporting surface ( 3 ) includes first edges for supporting said component ( 11 ), said first edges being disposed outside of said first pair of lateral bars; and

said plate ( 17 ) includes a second pair of lateral bars for guiding containers ( 4 ), said plate ( 17 ) further comprising second edges for supporting said component ( 11 ), said second edges being disposed outside of said second pair of lateral bars.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said component is a carriage ( 11 ) including a longitudinal bar;

said carriage ( 11 ) being supported by means of supports ( 37 ) and rollers ( 39 ).

3. An apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein said longitudinal bar is connected to said articulation system ( 42 , 43 ).

4. An apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein said carriage ( 11 ) is equipped with a panel device ( 38 ) that carries a movable panel ( 54 ) having a first position and a second position.

5. An apparatus according to claim 4 , characterized in that said panel ( 54 ) can be actuated mechanically.

6. An apparatus according to claim 5 , characterized in that said panel device ( 38 ) is equipped with a toothed rack ( 57 ) aligned in said linear direction, which engages a gear wheel ( 58 ) connected to said panel ( 54 ).

7. An apparatus according to claim 6 , characterized in that said panel device ( 38 ) can be actuated electrically.

8. An apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein

said panel device ( 38 ) is equipped with a servo motor ( 59 ) for positioning said panel ( 54 ) in one of said first and said second positions, and

said articulation system ( 42 , 43 ) is operable to conduct one of a transmitting signal and an actuating current.

9. An apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein said articulation system ( 42 , 43 ) includes a plurality of rod sections ( 76 ), each of said rod sections ( 76 ) having a first end ( 75 ) and a second end ( 77 ) wherein said first end ( 75 ) of said rod sections ( 76 ) being connected to said second end ( 77 ) of adjacent rod sections ( 76 ) in an articulated manner.

10. An apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein said articulation system ( 42 , 43 ) includes steel pins ( 78 ) having ends ( 79 ) that project laterally from said articulation system ( 42 , 43 ).

11. An apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein said drive wheels ( 44 , 45 ) include peripherally-spaced recesses ( 81 ) dimensioned to receive said ends ( 79 ).

12. An apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein said winding system ( 46 , 47 ) includes a housing ( 62 ) having a spiral-shaped hollow space ( 72 ) defined therein, said housing ( 62 ) having lateral grooves ( 84 , 85 ) for guiding said ends ( 79 ) of said articulation system ( 42 , 43 ).

13. An apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a housing ( 62 ) having hollow spaces ( 71 , 72 ) for accommodating said drive wheels ( 44 , 45 ), said winding system ( 46 , 47 ) and said articulation system ( 42 , 43 ).

14. An apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a housing ( 62 ) including a first cassette ( 63 ) having a first hollow space ( 71 ) defined therein and a second cassette ( 64 ) having a spiral shaped second hollow space ( 72 ) defined therein, wherein both first cassette ( 63 ) and second cassette ( 64 ) are detachably connected to said apparatus.

15. An apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising an insulator ( 14 ).

16. An apparatus according to claim 15 , further comprising a housing ( 62 ) having a first hollow space ( 71 ) and a spiral shaped second hollow space ( 72 ) defined therein, wherein said insulator ( 14 ) defines an insulator room ( 15 ); and

said first hollow space ( 71 ) and said spiral shaped second hollow space ( 72 ) being fluidly connected to said insulator room ( 15 ).

17. An apparatus according to claim 16 , wherein said housing ( 62 ) has an opening ( 86 ) defined therein for fluidly connecting said second hollow space ( 72 ) to a source for sterile gases.

18. An apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a slide ( 21 ) for loading containers onto said supporting surface ( 3 ).

19. An apparatus according to claim 18 , wherein said supporting surface ( 3 ) includes a loading side and said slide ( 21 ) and said component for unloading are both disposed in proximity to said loading side such that both slide ( 21 ) and said component for unloading can move freely.

20. An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said apparatus is a device for freeze-drying that includes a chamber ( 2 ) having a plurality of supporting surfaces ( 3 ) vertically arranged therein.

21. An apparatus according to claim 20 , wherein said chamber ( 2 ) has an opening ( 6 ) dimensioned to allow containers to pass therethrough; and

a slide ( 21 ) and a component for unloading disposed such that slide ( 21 ) can facilitate loading of said containers onto said supporting surface ( 3 ) through said opening ( 6 ) and said component for unloading can facilitate unloading of said containers from supporting surfaces ( 3 ) through said opening ( 6 ).