Abstract:
The invention relates to an inverting filter centrifuge comprising a filter drum ( 16 ) that is rotatably mounted in a machine frame and projects in a cantilevered manner into a housing that is connected to the machine frame, said drum radially surrounding a centrifugal chamber ( 14 ) that can be subjected to an excess or negative pressure. The centrifugal chamber ( 14 ) is sealed on one end face by a centrifugal chamber cover ( 25 ) and on the other face by a sliding base ( 23 ). The filter drum ( 16 ), the centrifugal chamber cover ( 25 ) and the sliding base ( 23 ), together with a sliding shaft ( 12 ) that is connected in a fixed manner to the latter are driven by a hollow shaft ( 3 ) that causes them to rotate in unison. The filter drum ( 16 ) and the sliding base ( 23 ) are moved in relation to one another by an axial displacement of the sliding shaft ( 12 ), said action inverting a filter cloth ( 22 ) and discharging the separated solid matter from the centrifugal chamber ( 14 ). The centrifuge is provided with a passage for the media that is to be introduced into the rotating chamber, said passage running from the sliding base side via the sliding shaft to a radially static inlet channel ( 26 ) and removing the need for seals in the centrifugal chamber ( 14 ) and the solid matter collection chamber ( 32 ). The lack of abraded particles achieved by the absence of seals in the sensitive centrifugal chamber and solid matter collection chamber eliminates the risk of contamination. The optimal configuration for a clean room installation renders the inventive inverting filter centrifuge particularly suitable for the processing of highly pure/pharmaceutical products.

Description:
[0001]     The invention relates to an inverting-filter centrifuge comprising a filter drum with radial pass-through openings, which is rotatably supported in a machine frame and projects in a cantilevered manner into a housing that is connected to the machine frame, said filter drum radially enclosing a centrifugal chamber that can be placed under normal pressure, overpressure or underpressure, comprising a centrifugal chamber lid that closes the centrifugal chamber at its face end, comprising a pusher bottom that is rigidly joined to the centrifugal chamber lid while leaving a free space and defining the other side of the centrifugal chamber, wherein the centrifugal chamber is filled from the side, the filter drum and pusher bottom are caused to rotate in unison by means of a rotatably driven hollow shaft and the hollow shaft is firmly connected to the filter drum, an axially displaceable pusher shaft is disposed inside the hollow shaft rotating in unison with it, the filter drum and pusher bottom are moved relative to one another by means of an axial displacement of the pusher shaft in order to turn up the filter cloth and expel separated solids from the centrifugal chamber into a solids collection chamber.  
       PRIOR ART  
       [0002]     All known inverting-filter centrifuges have in common the passage of a feed pipe through the solids collection chamber and continuing on through an opening in the centrifugal chamber lid into the centrifugal chamber, with the requirement that the feed pipe be sealed against the centrifugal chamber by means of rubbing and therefore abrasion-causing seals that result in a contamination of the suspension or solid matter with rubbed-off particles when the centrifugal chamber is placed under overpressure or underpressure.  
         [0003]     This results in a gap between the feed pipe and centrifugal chamber lid when work is performed at normal atmosphere, to prevent rubbed-off particles with the shortcoming that splashes or aerosols from the centrifugal chamber can enter through this gap into the solids collection chamber and result in a contamination of the product in the solids collection chamber, either through aging or through rubbed-off particles created when an axial movement is performed.  
         [0004]     The feed lines for the media, i.e., for the suspension, wash liquid, and so on, in the known inverting-filter centrifuges takes place through the space located in front of the inverting-filter centrifuge, toward the face end of the inverting-filter centrifuge.  
         [0005]     In high-purity productions, the set-up must be such that the processing space with the filter drum projects into a clean room, that the machine frame with the bearing arrangements and all drives is set up in a machine room, that both rooms are separated by a gas-tight, flexible connecting element, and the entire equipment for the media supply is located in the clean room, with the surface of the clean room, including the uneven surface of the media supply equipment, such as, for example, valves, sight glasses, display instruments, lines, being subject to periodic microbiological examinations (so-called “contact-spotting test”). Additionally, the entire clean room must be decontaminated every time the process compartment projecting into the clean room is opened, for example for the periodically required filter cloth change, or for the sporadically required replacement of the centrifugal chamber seal.  
         [0006]     In a known inverting-filter centrifuge (DE 37 40 411 C2), a combined rotary and sliding seal are disposed between the stationary feed pipe and the feed opening, allowing operations to be performed in the centrifugal chamber at overpressure or underpressure. The combined rotary and sliding seal that is arranged directly in the pass-through opening of the centrifugal chamber lid has the shortcoming that, due to the unavoidable rubbing of the sealing elements, a significant degree of abrasion occurs in the region of the filter drum, resulting in contaminations of the separated product in the solids collection chamber or filter drum.  
         [0007]     In a known inverting-filter centrifuge (DE 39 16 266 C1), the opening in the centrifugal chamber lid is sealed by means of a squeeze valve, or by means of a piston-rod shaped, axially slidable closing element acting from the inside, when work is performed at overpressure or underpressure, and the feed pipe is either decoupled during this time of pressurized gas intake through displacement, or covered by the closing element.  
         [0008]     This design has the shortcoming that, during filling of the centrifugal chamber with a suspension or wash liquid, the squeeze valve must be open, or the closing element must be retracted, so that no protection exists against overfill splashes, and also no operations at overpressure or underpressure can take place in the filter drum during this time. Additionally, seals that are not described in the patent document are required both for the axially slidable feed pipe at it&#39;s frontal lead-through through the wall of the solids collection chamber, as well as for the axially slidable closing element at its point of penetration into the shaft. These sealing elements that unavoidably rub because of the axial movement cause rubbed-off particles either in the region of the filter drum or in the region of the solids collection chamber, especially due to the adherence of solid-matter crystals to the outer circumference surface of the feed pipe or closing element, and result in contamination of the filter cake in the filter drum or of the separated product in the solids collection chamber.  
         [0009]     In a known inverting-filter centrifuge (EP 0 551 252 B1) the feed pipe is supported rotatable about its longitudial axis and can be caused to rotate in order to reduce the degree of abrasion. The feed pipe and filter drum rotate nearly synchronously so that merely a simple, inflatable membrane is provided as a seal on the centrifugal chamber lid. To drive the rotating feed pipe, a motor is disposed on the extension of the feed pipe.  
         [0010]     This design has the shortcoming that an incomplete synchronization between the feed pipe and pass-through opening in the centrifugal chamber lid causes abrasion that results in a contamination of the separated solid matter.  
         [0011]     In a known inverting-filter centrifuge (DE 43 37 618 C1), the seal between the feed pipe and rotatable filter drum is implemented by means of a sealing head, which is affixed stationary on an axially slideable feed pipe at the free end of the feed pipe and supported rotatable about it. The sealing head is sealed with respect to the outer circumference of the feed pipe by means of a lip seal and is in non-rotating engagement with the centrifugal chamber lid relative to one another in the sealed state. The sealing head incorporates, along a portion of its axial extension, a conical outer surface whose cone angle is matched to the cone angle of the also conically designed inner circumference surface of the fill opening, so that the conical outer surface and the conical inner circumference surface act together in a sealing manner. Disposed between the conical outer surface and the inner circumference surface is a seal that is implemented as an O-ring. Additional lip seals are disposed between the sealing head and outer circumference of the feed pipe toward the solids collection chamber.  
         [0012]     It is a shortcoming of this design that abrading seals result in rubbed-off particles in the separated solid matter. Adhesion of product on the surface of the feed pipe and the performance of the axial movement of the feed pipe cause wear and tear, as well as thermal overstress in temperature-sensitive products. Product deposits on the conical surfaces of the sealing head designed for the sealing function and on the inlet opening cause the formation of a gap, which does not produce the desired sealing function.  
         [0013]     In a known inverting-filter centrifuge (DE 197 05 788 C1), the sealing head is firmly connected to the centrifugal chamber lid, but mounted rotating relative to it. Situated within the feed means, which is designed as a rigid feed line with an encompassing mantle tube, is a four-point contact bearing to implement the radial rotary movement, as well as sealing elements toward the centrifugal chamber and solids collection chamber. To seal the axial movement during the inverting process, abrading seals are disposed at the frontal lead-through of the mantle tube through the wall of the solids collection chamber. Disposed on the end of the mantle tube facing the centrifugal chamber, is a conveyor thread in the direction of the centrifugal chamber.  
         [0014]     This design has the shortcoming that solid matter depositing on the mantle housing during the performance of the axial movement leads to abrasion and, as a result, to a leakage at the solids collection chamber relative to the environment, and this chamber not being sealed gas-tight. The abrading seals in the sealing head and in the lip seals that are affixed on the mantle tube in the direction of the centrifugal chamber result in rubbed-off particles that contaminate both the suspension, as well as the expelled solid matter.  
         [0015]     In a known inverting-filter centrifuge (EP 0 753 349 A2), a sealing head designed to maintain an overpressure in the centrifugal chamber relative to the solids collection chamber is pressed with its conical outer surface against a conical pass-through opening in the centrifugal chamber lid. The axial movement of the feed line is implemented by means of a piston/cylinder unit that penetrates through the front wall of the solids collection chamber. In the sealing head, the elements that rotate in unison with the filter drum are decoupled by means of two mechanical seals regarding their ability to move relative to the elements that are firmly joined to the radially unmovable feed line. The resulting hollow spaces between the mechanical seal and feed line and an installed guide pipe for filling the filter drum with suspension are filled with a seal gas, which may be recirculated in the system.  
         [0016]     This design has the shortcoming that abrading seals exist in the region of the solids collection chamber. When the mechanical seal fails, product from both, the centrifugal chamber as well as from the solids collection chamber can enter into the gap of the mechanical seal, so that it can no longer fulfill its function. The closing of the fill opening by means of the sealing head can take place only when the drum is not rotating, so that the possible applications and flexibility of the centrifuge are limited. An additional shortcoming results from the rubbed-off particles resulting at the location of the seal between the feed pipe and solids chamber when the feed pipe is displaced.  
         [0017]     In a known, albeit not generic, centrifuge dryer (EP 0 454 045 B1) that has a horizontally mounted drive shaft, a closed drum rotating on the former in unison with it, a filter disposed within the drum that encompasses an operating area, which conically widens from the connecting side of the drive shaft, an axially displaceable diaphragm plate that forms a face end of the process compartment, and a centrifuge housing encapsulating a drum and diaphragm plate, the suspension is fed in through the drive shaft, which is designed as a hollow shaft.  
         [0018]     This design has the shortcoming that the actuation unit for the axially slidable diaphragm plate is situated on the side opposite the drive side of the drum and the slidable shaft on which the diaphragm plate is disposed penetrates into the solids area. Through adhesion of product to the surface of the slideable shaft, wear and tear is caused during its axial movement. Furthermore, abrasion is caused at the location of the seal between the rotating diaphragm plate and the radially static, slideable shaft. Since both elements are located in the solid-matter area, both the wear and tear as well as the rubbed-off seal particles contaminate the expelled solid matter.  
         [0019]     It is the object of the present invention to improve a generic inverting-filter centrifuge that is operated with pressure/underpressure or at normal atmosphere in the centrifugal chamber in such a way that filling of the media into the centrifugal chamber no longer takes place by means of a feed pipe with its wear-and-tear susceptible and abrasion-causing seals passing through the sensitive solids collection chamber and penetrating the centrifugal chamber lid.  
         [0020]     This object is met according to the characteristics of claim  1 .  
         [0021]     The invention is based on the general inventive idea of introducing the media being entered into the centrifugal chamber, in a generic inverting-filter centrifuge, in contrast to all known designs, not from the face end through the solids collection chamber and centrifugal chamber lid, but via the side facing away from the face end, the pusher bottom and the pusher shaft connected to same.  
         [0022]     This conception makes it possible to ensure, by means of a cutout-free centrifugal chamber lid that is permanently closed across its entire surface, that a contamination of the product in the solids collection chamber through splashes and aerosols from the centrifugal chamber or seal abrasion is no longer possible.  
         [0023]     This basic concept of the invention, that the previous disadvantageous media supply into the centrifugal chamber by means of a feed pipe with its wear-and-tear susceptible and abrasion-causing seals passing through the sensitive solids collection chamber is moved into the non-sensitive area of the pusher shaft, not only minimizes the rubbed-off particles, but also carries them away without causing any harm and prevents product deposits on the feed pipe.  
         [0024]     In the case of highly pure productions and the associated set-up in a clean room and machine room, it is no longer necessary for the entire equipment for the media supply to the inverting-filter centrifuge to be situated in the clean room, thus considerably reducing the amount of work required for the microbiological surface test that must be performed in regular intervals while reducing the size of the clean room, and also of the equipment situated therein.  
         [0025]     Additionally, the inventive solution also opens up the possibility of encapsulating the process compartment of the inverting-filter centrifuge with a glove box and changing the filter cloth and centrifugal chamber seal using flexible gloves, with the process compartment closed.  
         [0026]     This eliminates the need to open the process compartment for the periodically required filter cloth change and/or to change the centrifugal chamber seal, and thus the complex, costly decontamination of the clean room; the loss of production that has resulted from this up to now is reduced to the rare cases of a serious malfunction or the safety-related inspections that are required in long intervals.  
         [0027]     Advantageous embodiments are specified in the subclaims. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0028]     A preferred embodiment of the invention will be explained in greater detail in conjunction with the drawings, in which:  
         [0029]      FIG. 1  shows a schematic sectional view of an inverting-filter centrifuge during the operating phase of the centrifuging and, indicated by the broken line, during the operating phase of the solids ejection;  
         [0030]      FIG. 2  shows a schematic sectional view along the section line  2 - 2  in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0031]      FIG. 3  schematically shows an enlarged partial view in the region of the circle A drawn in a dot-and-dash line in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0032]      FIGS. 4 and 5  show partial views of example embodiments that have been modified from  FIG. 3 ;  
         [0033]      FIG. 6  schematically shows an enlarged partial view in the region of the circle B drawn in a dot-and-dash line in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0034]      FIG. 7  shows a schematic sectional view along the section line  7 - 7  in  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0035]      FIG. 8  shows a schematic sectional view of a solids chamber that has been modified from  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0036]      FIG. 9  shows a schematic sectional view along section line  9 - 9  in  FIG. 8 ;  
         [0037]      FIG. 10  shows a schematic illustration of the set-up of the inverting-filter centrifuge across two separate rooms, and  
         [0038]      FIG. 11  shows an embodiment of the inventive inverting-filter centrifuge. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0039]     The preferred embodiment of the inverting-filter centrifuge depicted in  FIG. 1  comprises a housing  1  that tightly encloses the entire process compartment, said housing  1  being connected to a stationary machine frame  2  in which a hollow shaft  3  is rotatably mounted in main bearings  4 ,  5 . The end of the hollow shaft  3  shown on the right in  FIG. 1  that projects beyond the main bearing  5  is connected to a drive wheel  7  integral in rotation therewith, whereby the hollow shaft  3  can be caused to rotate using a V-belt  6 , for example, by means of a motor  8 .  
         [0040]     The hollow shaft  3  rigidly extending between the main bearings  4 ,  5  incorporates an axially oriented wedge-shaped groove  10 , in which a wedge-shaped piece  9  is axially displaceable. This wedge-shaped piece  9  is rigidly joined to a pusher shaft  12  that is displaceable inside the hollow shaft  3 . The pusher shaft  12  thus rotates jointly with the hollow shaft  3 , but is axially displaceable inside it.  
         [0041]     The hollow shaft  3  and the pusher shaft  12  extend inside a support member  13  that is supported on the machine frame  2  and also serves to hold the main bearings  4 ,  5 .  
         [0042]     Flanged with its bottom  17  to the end of the hollow shaft  3  located on the left in  FIG. 1 , which projects beyond the main bearing  4  and radial seal  11 , is a filter drum  16 , integral in rotation therewith. On its cylindrical outer wall the filter drum  16  has radially extending pass-through openings  18 . On its side opposite the bottom  17 , the filter drum  16  is open. On the flange-like opening rim  19  surrounding this open face end, the one edge of a substantially cylindrical filter cloth  22  is tightly clamped in. The other edge of the filter cloth  22  is tightly connected to the pusher bottom  23  in an analogous manner, said pusher bottom  23  being rigidly joined to the pusher shaft  13 , which freely penetrates through the bottom  17 .  
         [0043]     At the pusher bottom  23 , a centrifugal chamber lid  25  is rigidly attached by means of stay bolts  24  while leaving a free space in-between, said centrifugal chamber lid  25  being depicted in  FIG. 1  tightly closing the centrifugal chamber  14  of the filter drum  16  by means of a centrifugal chamber seal  20  and opening together with the pusher bottom  23  the filter drum  16  by axially pushing out the pusher shaft  12  from the hollow shaft  3  (illustrated in  FIG. 1  by the broken line).  
         [0044]     Provided on the side that is situated on the right in  FIG. 1  is an inlet channel  26  that serves to enter a suspension to be broken down into its solid and liquid components, or a wash liquid. The inlet channel  26  is connected via the inlet pipe  51  and via the opening  15  that passes through the entire pusher shaft  12  to the centrifugal chamber  14 .  
         [0045]     A drive means  69  depicted in  FIG. 2  comprises, for example, two symmetrically arranged screw spindle shafts  70 ,  71  that synchronously rotate at the same rotational speed, which cause the axial pushing movement of the pusher plate  74 . The drive means will be described below based on one screw spindle shaft, said screw spindle shafts being marked with position numbers only on one side, since they consist of the same machine elements because of the symmetrical arrangement.  
         [0046]     The end of the rotatably mounted pusher shaft  12  that is supported by the main bearing  5  is axially connected at the right end via pusher bearings  45  and  46  to a radially rigid pusher plate  74 , so that the pusher plate  74  and the pusher shaft  12 , as well as all other connected machine elements are jointly displaceable. A threaded spindle  72  is supported on the left side by means of a bearing  84  disposed in the support member  13  and connected rigidly by means of a wedge to a spindle wheel  86 , which, as illustrated in  FIG. 7 , engages by means of intermediate wheels  87  into a drive wheel  88  that is connected directly to the motor  89 .  
         [0047]     As is apparent especially from  FIG. 7 , the two threaded spindles  72  are frictionally connected to the motor  89  by means of a toothed gearing  81  incorporating the spindle wheels  86 , the intermediate wheels  87 , and the drive wheel  88 .  
         [0048]     This example embodiment of a synchronous drive of the two threaded spindles  72  may also be substituted with other known frictional transmission systems, such as chain drives or toothed belt drives.  
         [0049]     The threaded spindle  72  is supported on the right side by a bearing  85  that is disposed in the machine frame  2 . The exterior thread of the threaded spindle  72  engages into a threaded insert  73  provided with a matching inside thread, which is connected non-rotational but axially slightly displaceable to the pusher plate  74  by means of a conventional pressure-spring connection  94 . Arranged between the pusher plate  74  and a face-end collar  90  and  91  protruding at a right angle on the left and right side on the threaded insert  73  is a disk spring  76  and  75 , which places the threaded insert  73  under tension relative to the pusher plate  74  in such a way that said pressure-spring connection  94  permits a slight axial movement between the threaded insert  73  and pusher plate  74  to the left or right. The face-end collar  90  and  91  that protrudes at a right angle on both sides of the threaded insert  73  is displaced, in dependence upon the given operating state, either to the right (illustrated by the continuous line) or the face-end collar  90  and  91  is displaced to the left (illustrated by the dot-and-dash line).  
         [0050]     The pusher plate  74  is displaced to the right (illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2  by a continuous line) and rests with a resting surface  93  against an end stop surface  77  of the machine frame  2  and is centered in this position in a reception bore  83  of the machine frame  2  with an annular collar  82  that projects from the resting surface  93 . In this operating state the centrifugal chamber lid  25  is sealingly inserted with its centrifugal chamber seal  20  into the holding ring  21  on the rim  19  of the opening of the filter drum  16  and the centrifugal chamber  14  is thus closed.  
         [0051]     The pusher plate  74  is connected rigidly and self-locking in this operating state to the machine frame  2  via wedge surfaces  78  by means of a plurality of wedges  79  that are disposed displaceable in grooves  80 . The rigid locking of the pusher plate  74  to the machine frame  2  may also be accomplished by means of other known tensioning elements.  
         [0052]     As is apparent especially from  FIG. 3 , the rotatably mounted pusher shaft  12  is axially connected at the right end via the pusher bearings  45  and  46  to the radially rigid pusher plate  74 , so that the pusher plate  74  and the pusher shaft  12  are jointly displaceable in the axial direction. A seal  47 , preferably a mechanical seal, that is disposed between the pusher shaft  12  and pusher plate  74  has one or more protection zones preceding it.  
         [0053]     An embodiment with two protection zones  48  and  49  is shown as an example. The protection zone  48  is connected via a feed line  43  with a not depicted inlet valve, which may optionally be open or closed, to a compressed air source and connected via a gap  54  to the opening  15  of the pusher shaft  12 . From the protection zone  48 , a drain line  44  leads to a not depicted drain valve, which may optionally be open or closed.  
         [0054]     The protection zone  49  is supplied by means of a feed line  41 , a not depicted supply valve that may optionally be open or closed, with a liquid suitable for cleaning. From the protection zone  49  a drain line  42  leads to a not depicted drain valve, which may optionally be open or closed. The pusher plate  74  is connected rigidly to the inlet pipe  51  on the right and on the left projects into the opening  15  of the pusher shaft  12 . At the right end of the pusher shaft  12  the opening  15  is narrowed by a shoulder  40  to form a smaller passage.  
         [0055]     A vent pipe  50  is connected rigidly on the right to the pusher plate  74 , passes through the inlet pipe  51  along its entire length and then protrudes into the opening  15 . Additionally, the thin, vibration-sensitive vent pipe  50  is supported by means of support struts  52  on the inside wall of the inlet pipe  51 . For vibration-related reasons, the inlet pipe  51  with the vent pipe  50  situated in its center, cannot be routed all the way to the centrifugal chamber  14 . Depending on the suspension to be filtered it is advantageous, however, to connect the centrifugal chamber  14  directly to a vent connection  57  by means of the vent pipe  50 .  
         [0056]      FIG. 4  shows an example embodiment that is more complex than the one in  FIG. 3 , in which a long vent pipe  50  that passes through the entire opening  15  in the pusher shaft  12  and through the inlet pipe  51 , connects the centrifugal chamber  14  via a connecting space  58  directly to the vent connection  57  and to a not depicted valve, which may optionally be open or closed. The vent pipe  50  is supported by means of a plurality of radially and axially distributed support struts  53  on the inside wall of the pusher shaft  12  and rotates in unison with it. At the right end the vent pipe  50  is held by a support  56 , a seal ring  55  additionally separates the inlet channel  26  from the connecting space  58 .  
         [0057]      FIG. 5  shows an additional example embodiment that has been modified from  FIGS. 3 and 4 . An inlet pipe  51  in its shortest embodiment projects beyond the radial shoulder  40  of the pusher shaft in the axial direction only by a short distance and is limited in its longest embodiment (illustrated by the broken line) by vibration-related influences. One or multiple channels  63  in the pusher shaft  12 , which create a connection from the centrifugal chamber  14  to the intermediate space  65  that is delimited on the right by the seal  47  and on the left by the shaft seal  64 , connect the centrifugal chamber  14  to a vent line  66 . The vent line  66  may be open or closed by means of a not depicted valve.  
         [0058]      FIG. 6  shows a further development of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 . The left end of the static vent pipe  50  is firmly connected to a connecting piece  59  whose bore  67  receives the right end of a vent pipe extension  68  that rotates in unison with the pusher shaft  12  and supports the same with a support  60 . The rotating vent pipe extension  68  is sealed by means of a labyrinth  61 , or by means of other customary, not depicted sealing systems against a radially static connecting piece  59 .  
         [0059]     It is apparent in conjunction with  FIGS. 1 and 3  that the centrifugal chamber  14  is connected via the vent pipe extension  68  and vent pipe  50  directly to the vent connection  57 .  
         [0060]      FIG. 8  shows an embodiment of the solids collection chamber  32  that has been modified from  FIG. 1 . The front wall of the housing  1  situated on the left has a large-dimension access opening  34 , which is closed by a lid  28 . By swiveling the lid  28  about a pin  30 , the access opening  34  is released for purposes of inspection and cleaning in the solids collection chamber  32 . The lid  28  may be designed see-through in a large area  29 , so that the solids collection chamber  32  can be inspected also in its closed state. Additionally, a see-through insert  27  is disposed in the centrifugal chamber lid  25 , so that the centrifugal chamber  14  is also viewable from outside when the solids collection chamber  32  is closed.  
         [0061]     As can be seen from  FIG. 9 , the housing  1  is pivotable about a vertical axis  97 , which extends through a projection  95  on the housing  1  and a projection  96  on the machine frame  2 . The housing  1  can be pivoted to the left into an open position that is not shown, so that a completely unimpeded access is possible to the filter drum  16 , solids collection chamber  32 , filtrate collection chamber  31  and to a dividing wall  33  separating the two chambers. The housing  1  is connected by means of elements that are known from machine building, for example screw or quick acting closure, to the machine frame  2  under interconnection of a seal.  
         [0062]     The inverting-filter centrifuge depicted in  FIGS. 10 and 11  reveals a set-up in which the process compartment encompassed by the housing  1  and comprising the centrifugal chamber  14 , filtrate collection chamber  31 , and solids collection chamber  32 , protrudes through a building divider wall  100  into a clean room  101 . A solids discharge opening  36  is connected by means of a separable closing means  110  to a solid-matter container  115 , in such a way that in the case of a separation, a closing means top part  111  tightly closes the housing  1  and a closing means bottom part  112  remains on the decoupled solid-matter container  115 . The filtrate is transported off through a filtrate discharge line  114  extending from the filtrate collection chamber  31  and passing through the machine frame  2 .  
         [0063]     It is also apparent from  FIGS. 10 and 11  that the machine frame  2  including the components that are connected to it, namely support means  13  with the main bearings  4 ,  5 , translation drive with the motor  89 , as well as rotary drive with the motor  8 , is fastened under interconnection of elastomeric bearings  106  and  107  on a support stand  117 , which, in turn, is anchored to the floor  105  of the machine room  102 . The entire media supply equipment  120  is installed in the machine room  102 . The translationally moving inlet channel  26  is connected via a flexible tube  121  to a stationary transfer point  123 , to which the entire media supply lines are coupled with their associated valves, in the present example embodiment one valve each for the suspension  124 , wash liquid  125 , compressed gas  126 , and ventilation  127 .  
         [0064]      FIG. 11  shows an example embodiment that has been improved from  FIG. 10 . The housing  1  projecting into the clean room  101  and enclosing the process compartment of the inverting-filter centrifuge is encompassed, in turn, by a glove box  130 . Inserted in the front, rear and face end of the glove box  130  are large-surface viewing panes  133 , each of which is provided with multiple openings  131  (two are shown). Worked into the openings  131  by means of mountings are highly flexible gloves  132 , whereby an operator  134  can work within the glove box  130  without contaminating the clean room  101 .  
         [0065]     The housing  1  may be pivoted together with the glove box  130  about the axis  97  shown in  FIG. 1 . The housing  1  is connected to the machine frame  2  by elements known from machine building, for example screw or quick acting closure, under interconnection of a seal.  
         [0066]     During its operation, the inverting-filter centrifuge initially assumes the operating position indicated by the continuous line in  FIG. 1 . The displaceable pusher shaft  12  is retracted in the hollow shaft  3 , causing the pusher bottom  23 , which is connected to the pusher shaft  12 , to rest in the vicinity of the bottom  17  of the filter drum  16  and the filter cloth  22  being draped into the filter drum  16  in such a way that it is situated in its interior. The centrifugal chamber lid  25 , in the process, has sealingly moved with its centrifugal chamber seal  20  into the holding ring  21  on the rim  19  of the opening of the filter drum  16 . With the filter drum  16  rotating, the suspension to be filtered is filled through the inlet channel  26 , the inlet pipe  51 , and the opening  15  in the pusher shaft  12 . To provide for a trouble-free filling of the centrifugal chamber  14  when introducing the suspension or wash fluid, the centrifugal chamber  14  is kept non-pressurized by means of the vent pipe  50  and connection  57 , which is connected to a valve that is not depicted but open during the filling process. The liquid components of the suspension pass through the pass-through openings  18  of the filter drum  16  in the direction of the arrows  35  and are guided into a filtrate discharge opening  37 . The solid particles of the suspension are held back by the filter cloth.  
         [0067]     With the filter drum  16  continuing to rotate, the pusher shaft  12  is now displaced to the left (illustrated by the broken line in  FIG. 1 ), causing the filter cloth  22  to be turned up and the solid components adhering to it to be expelled outward in the direction of the arrows  38  into the solids collection chamber  32 . From there they can easily be channeled off through the solids discharge opening  36 . After completed expelling of the solid particles under the action of the centrifugal force, the filter centrifuge is moved back into its operating state according to  FIG. 1  by sliding the pusher shaft  12  back, during which process the filter cloth  22  is inverted back in the opposite direction. In this manner it is possible to operate the centrifuge with a continuously rotating filter drum  16 .  
         [0068]     The drive means  69  transitions the inverting-filter centrifuge into two operating states. The transition of the two operating states illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , namely centrifugal chamber  14  closed (indicated by the continuous line) and centrifugal chamber  14  open (indicated by the broken line), is brought about by the drive means  69 .  
         [0069]     The axial movement of the pusher plate  74  and of the machine elements connected to it, is brought about, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1, 2 , and  7 , by the motor  89 , the toothed gearing  81 , and the threaded spindle shafts  70  and  71 ; depending on the direction of rotation of the motor  89 , the pusher plate  74  moves to the right or left and, in the process, is transitioned into one of the two operating states, with the speed of the movement being changeable by adjusting the speed of the motor  89 .  
         [0070]     Starting from the operating state centrifugal chamber  14  open, pusher plate  74  in left position, depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 2  (indicated by the broken line) the pusher plate  74  is moved to the right by turning on the motor until the pusher plate  74  comes to rest with its resting surface  93  against the end stop surface  77  of the machine frame  2 . Shortly before this operating state (indicated by the continuous line) is reached, the pusher plate  74  starts to support itself, in this example, with its projecting annular collar  82  in the receptacle bore  83  of the machine frame  2 , so that the pusher plate  74  after coming to rest against the machine frame  2 , is secured in multiple axes.  
         [0071]     In an alternative example embodiment, which is not depicted, the pusher plate  74  is intercepted before it comes to rest against the end stop surface  77  of the machine frame  2 , by intercepting pins that project from the machine frame  2  and that penetrate into the matching counterparts provided in it.  
         [0072]     In an additional, not depicted example embodiment, the pusher plate  74  is supported along its entire displacement path by means of a sturdy guide means.  
         [0073]     After the pusher plate  74  has come to rest against the machine frame  2 , the displaceably mounted threaded insert  73  moves, while the threaded spindle  72  continues to rotate, from its left position (indicated in  FIG. 2  by the dot-and-dash line) against the pre-tension of the disk spring  76  into the right position (indicated by the continuous line), so that after completion of the rotation, the disk spring  75  disposed between the right face-end collar  91  and threaded insert  73  is relaxed and the pusher plate  74  is pushed by the force of the disk spring  76  against the end-stop surface  77  of the machine frame  2 .  
         [0074]     The force created by the disk spring  76  is, at the same time, also the maximum locking force for the centrifugal chamber  14 . This force is also maintained through the self-locking threaded spindle  72  after the motor  89  is turned off.  
         [0075]     In an example embodiment that is not depicted, a protective device that provides a tight seal against the ambient atmosphere, for example an expansion bellows that encompasses the pusher shaft  12  and rotates along with it while permitting the axial displacement, is provided between the hollow shaft  3 , or between the drive wheel  7  that is rigidly joined to the hollow shaft  3 , and the pusher bearing  45 , said protective device preventing, in the case of a germ-free or sterile production, a connection between the processing area inside the housing  1  and the ambient atmosphere.  
         [0076]     In an additional, not depicted embodiment, a protective device, for example an expansion bellows, is provided between the pusher plate  74  and the support member  13  on one side and between the pusher plate  74  and the machine frame  2  on the other side, said protective device encompassing the threaded spindle, protecting same against soiling, while permitting the axial movement.  
         [0077]     In an additional not depicted example embodiment, the two threaded inserts  73  are arranged not directly in the pusher plate  74  but in a pendulum-type piece is connected, via a swivel axis whose center intersects the center of the pusher shaft, to the pusher plate  74 . This arrangement prevents the build-up of different forces in the threaded spindle shafts  70  and  71  by means of a slight pendulum movement of the pendulum-type piece. Additionally, the threaded inserts  73  are integrated into the pusher plate in such a way that they can also perform a slight pendulum movement.  
         [0078]     In an additional not depicted example embodiment the threaded spindle is a spindle without self-locking means, for example a conventional circulating ball spindle. In this case the locking force that is required to reliably keep the centrifugal chamber  14  closed is exerted either through the continuously running motor  89  or through a brake that can be switched on at a suitable location in the drive train.  
         [0079]     In an additional not depicted example embodiment the threaded spindle shafts  70  and  71  have been replaced with more cost-effective hydraulic lifting cylinders while accepting the shortcomings resulting from the leakage.  
         [0080]     In an additional not depicted example embodiment the drive means  69  is implemented on one side with a screw spindle shaft instead of with two screw spindle shafts as depicted in  FIG. 2 . A shortcoming of this more cost-effective variant is the occurring lateral force that results in increased wear and tear in the translational bearings supporting the displaceable pusher shaft  12 .  
         [0081]     In an additional not depicted example embodiment the drive means consists of a screw spindle shaft that is centrally disposed in an extension of the pusher shaft  12 . This cost-effective embodiment has the shortcoming that the overall length of the inverting-filter centrifuge increases by at least the displacement path of the pusher shaft  12 .  
         [0082]     In an additional example embodiment of the invention that is depicted in  FIG. 2 , the pusher plate  74  is tightly connected to the machine frame  2  by means of a releasable locking means which, however, is self-locking in the closed state, which has the advantage that the force required while holding the centrifugal chamber  14  shut is not absorbed by the threaded spindle shafts  70  and  71  but intercepted directly via the pusher plate  74  by the sturdy machine frame  2 .  
         [0083]     An additional significant advantage of this example embodiment lies in a major improvement of the dynamic behavior of the pusher plate  74  with its vibration-sensitive components, namely seal  47 , inlet pipe  51 , and vent pipe  50  (depicted in  FIGS. 3, 4 ,  5  and  6 ) while connected to the machine frame  2 . In this example embodiment the inlet pipe  51  and vent pipe  50  can advantageously be implemented with a significantly longer length.  
         [0084]     In accordance with the invention, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the centrifugal chamber  14  is closed by inserting the centrifugal chamber lid  25  with its associated centrifugal chamber seal  20 , and the positioning in the axial direction takes place through the pusher plate  74  resting tightly against the machine frame  2 . The axial force created by the drive means  69  must be at least as great as the axial component of the hydraulic force occurring in the centrifugal chamber  14  under the most unfavorable conditions based on the permitted operating parameters.  
         [0085]     The axial component is caused by the difference in surface area between the centrifugal chamber lid  25  and pusher bottom  23  that laterally delimit the centrifugal chamber  14 . The maximum component only occurs, however, if at the maximum centrifuge speed and with a full filter drum, a filter cake forms only slowly, which is a rare process that occurs only with suspensions that have a low solids content.  
         [0086]     In most cases a solid-matter cake that bridges the difference in surface area between the centrifugal chamber lid  25  and pusher bottom  23  starts to form already at the speed of rotation during filling, which is usually far below the maximum speed of rotation, so that during the subsequent high centrifuging speed of rotation the occurring axial component derived from the hydraulic pressure is marked not only by the flow behavior of the liquid but also by the depositing angle of the solid-matter cake.  
         [0087]     Regardless of the axial force generated by the drive means  69 , in the inventive embodiment only the force created during opening and closing, as well as the above described force created by the axial component extend over the main bearing  5  and pusher bearings  45 ,  46 , thus resulting in a significantly increased life.  
         [0088]     After conclusion of the filtration process, the locking means that connect the pusher plate  74  to the machine frame  2  is released, and by switching on the motor  89  an axial movement of the pusher plate  74  is initiated to the left. As the threaded spindle  72  starts to turn, the displaceably mounted threaded insert  73  in  FIG. 2  first starts to move from its position on the right (shown by the continuous line) to the left until the disk spring  75  that is arranged between the face-end collar  91  and threaded insert  73  is under tension and takes the position (illustrated in  FIG. 2  by the dot-and-dash line). As the threaded spindle  72  continues to turn, the pusher plate  74  is now moved into its left starting position (shown by the broken line), during which process the centrifugal chamber  14  is opened by means of the pusher shaft  12  connected to it, the filter cloth  22  is turned up, and the solids are expelled into the solids collection chamber  32 .  
         [0089]     Through the inlet channel  26 , inlet pipe  51  and opening  15  in the pusher shaft  12 , compressed gas, especially inert gas, can be introduced into the centrifugal chamber  14  of the filter drum  16  after the suspension has been entered. The internal pressure thereby caused in the filter drum  16  increases the hydraulic pressure generated in the centrifugal-force field of the spinning filter drum  16  and, as a result, has an overall favorable effect on the filtration result.  
         [0090]     In an additional example embodiment it is also possible to introduce steam through the inlet channel  26  into the filter drum  16  and thus subject the filter cake adhering to the filter cloth  22  to a steam bath. It is also possible to remove an active ingredient from the adhering solid matter by means of extraction. In an additional example embodiment it is also possible to create, instead of an overpressure, an underpressure in the filter drum  16 , for example in such a way that the centrifugal chamber  14  is connected via the inlet channel  26  to a suction means, which is not depicted. An underpressure of this type that is temporarily applied may have a favorable effect, for example on the filtration behavior of the filter cake.  
         [0091]     When overpressure or underpressure exists in the centrifugal chamber  14 , a pressure-tight seal must be created between the static inlet channel  26 , the also static inlet pipe  51  and the centrifugal chamber  14 . This will be explained in more detail based on  FIGS. 1, 3 ,  4 , and  5 .  
         [0092]     As is apparent from  FIG. 3 , the radially static pusher plate  74  with its rigidly joined elements inlet pipe  51  and vent pipe  50  is separated from the rotating pusher shaft  12  by the seal  47 .  
         [0093]     Any type of seal that can be used at this location, be it a gas-lubricated or fluid-lubricated mechanical seal, lip seal, or other known sealing element, has the characteristic feature that, even though it generates rubbed-off particles itself, it reacts very sensitive to deposits of foreign substances, i.e., to soiling at its critical location where the relative movement takes place between the static and rotating components. To maintain the long-term function of the seal  47 , measures against soiling are taken according to the invention, it is prevented that foreign substances can deposit on the sensitive area of the seal  47 .  
         [0094]     The suspension that is entered through the inlet channel  26  is guided through the inlet pipe  51  via the opening  15  in the pusher shaft  12  to the centrifugal chamber  14 . Due to the flow behavior of the suspension in the opening  15  in the pusher shaft  12 , an even ring of fluid is created that is prevented from spreading further, on the right side, by the shoulder  40  and, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , flows off into the centrifugal chamber  14  on the left side.  
         [0095]     In other example embodiments that are not shown, the opening  15  in the pusher shaft  12 , for example, is not provided with the shoulder  40  depicted in  FIG. 3  but is narrowed at its right end and widens over the course of its extension to the other side, so that it opens widened into the centrifugal chamber  14 , or the entire machine conception is designed such that the centrifuge axis is inclined toward the centrifugal chamber  14 . Embodiments of this kind have the characteristic feature that, after the admission of the suspension or wash liquid is completed, a self-emptying takes place through the opening  15  in the pusher shaft  12 .  
         [0096]     As can be seen from  FIG. 3 , the supply of gas into the protection zone  48  creates a seal-gas flow in the gap  54  that separates the radially static inlet pipe  51  from the rotating pusher shaft  12  and thus prevents suspension from entering into the protection zone  48  and  49  preceding the shaft seal  47 .  
         [0097]     After entering the suspension into the centrifugal chamber  14 , wash liquid that is introduced through the inlet channel  26  is passed through the formed solid-matter cake in the centrifugal chamber  14 , after a centrifuging time dependent upon the product being processed. The admission of the wash liquid, or only a partial quantity thereof, may also take place via the feed line  43  and can thus simultaneously act as a cleaning liquid for the protection zone  48 , the gap  54 , and the opening  15  in the pusher shaft  12 . The not depicted inlet valve that precedes the feed line  43  in this case is a three-way valve that optionally permits the admission of gas or wash liquid.  
         [0098]     By entering cleaning or wash liquid via the feed line  41 , subsequent channeling of the same through the protection zone  49  and discharge via the discharge line  42 , the generated rubbed-off seal particles, even if these are only smallest quantities depending on the utilized seal, are transported away safely, ensuring that neither the suspension nor the solids will be contaminated.  
         [0099]     The vent pipe  50  serves to discharge the gas that is displaced during the filling process in the centrifugal chamber  14 , as well as the supplied seal gas, so that the centrifugal chamber  14  that is rendered non-pressurized in this manner can be filled without problem. In individual cases it may be advantageous from an operational point of view, however, to keep the centrifugal chamber  14  under static pressure already during the filling process, which is made possible in such a way that the not depicted valve is preceded by an also not depicted pressure-maintaining valve downstream of the vent connection  57 .  
         [0100]     Even though the elements pusher plate  74 , inlet pipe  51  and vent pipe  50 , which have been grouped into one unit according to the invention are rigidly connected to the machine frame  2  during the filling and centrifuging process and, hence, vibration-resistant, the vent pipe  50  can be implemented with a very long length, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , but due to a lack of stability it does not extend all the way to the centrifugal chamber  14 .  
         [0101]     Since the vent opening of the vent pipe  50  extends to a point very close to the inlet into the centrifugal chamber  14 , this simple, cost-effective arrangement of the vent pipe  50  very often produces satisfactory results.  
         [0102]     In  FIGS. 4, 5  and  6 , in conjunction with  FIG. 1  embodiments are shown that are more complex as compared to  FIG. 3 , in which, however, a direct connection from the rotating centrifugal chamber  14  exists via the connecting space  58  to the radially static vent connection  57 , or, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the direct connection leads via the intermediate space  65  to the vent line  66 .  
         [0103]     In an additional example embodiment that is not shown, channels  63  in the pusher shaft  12  that are illustrated in  FIG. 5  are guided from a point located a short distance from its end facing away from the centrifugal chamber  14 , for example by means of a pipe, to the center of the pusher shaft and grouped together there in a central pipe which then extends through the inlet pipe  51 , the inlet channel  26 , to the connecting space  58 , which creates a direct connection to the vent connection  57 , and a direct connection thus exists from the rotating centrifugal chamber  14  to the radially static vent connection  57 .  
         [0104]     In all embodiments of the vent, there is a possibility that suspension or solids may be carried off by the escaping gas, and deposits may therefore be caused in the vent pipe  50  or in the channel  63 . It is therefore necessary to periodically wash the entire vent system with cleaning or wash liquid. For this purpose the not depicted valve that is provided preceding the vent connection  57  or vent line  66  is implemented as a three-way valve permitting the optional admission of either gas or wash liquid.  
         [0105]     The operation of a system that is guided by the idea of preventing to the greatest degree possible the cross-contamination between the product and the environment, is illustrated by the example embodiments in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , with a split set-up of the inverting-filter centrifuge wherein the process compartment is situated in a clean room  101  and the machine frame  2  with the bearing arrangement, the drives, as well as the entire media supply equipment  120 , is situated in a machine room  102 .  
         [0106]     The inverting-filter centrifuge with its machine frame  2  is set up stationary in the machine room  102  by means of elastomeric bearings  106  and  107  and protrudes with its process compartment through the building divider wall  100 , to which it is coupled via flexible, gas-tight connecting elements  103 ,  104 , into the clean room  101 . This set-up creates the advantage that when the process compartment of the inverting-filter centrifuge is opened the absolute separation of the two rooms ensures that no contamination of the opened process compartment can take place through the rubbed-off particles generated in the drive portion of the inverting-filter centrifuge whose fine particles are located as aerosols in the entire machine room  102 . The elastic installation on the elastomeric bearings  106  and  107 , and a coupling to the building wall  100  by means of flexible connecting elements  103  and  104  makes it possible for the strict separation of the two rooms  101  and  102  to be maintained despite the imbalances that are unavoidable in centrifuges, and the resulting self-movement.  
         [0107]     The inventive relocation of the entire media supply equipment  120  from the clean room  101  to the machine room  102  eliminates not only the contamination of the product by the rubbed-off particles from the rubbing feed pipe seals that is known in all earlier designs, but it also frees the clean room  101  as well as the solids collection chamber  32  from the media supply equipment  120 . This makes it possible, in a configuration of the inverting-filter centrifuge as it is illustrated in  FIG. 8 , to view the centrifugal chamber  14 , which is extremely helpful from a processing point of view. Additionally, it is also apparent from  FIGS. 10 and 11  that the relocation of the media supply equipment  120  permits a reduction in size of the clean room  101 . The reduction in size of the clean room  101  in combination with the elimination of the media supply equipment  120  drastically reduces the expenditures for the periodically required microbiological inspection of the clean room  101 .  
         [0108]     Additional advantages of the inventive relocation of the media supply equipment  120  from the clean room  101  to the machine room  102  consist in that the cross-sections of the pass-through openings transporting the media, for example the opening  15  in the pusher shaft  12 , can be dimensioned significantly larger than in the previously known embodiments. This allows an increase in the gas throughput if work is performed in the centrifugal chamber  14  at overpressure or underpressure, or if gas is to be passed through the solid-matter cake for drying purposes, which results in an extremely advantageous reduction in the cycle time and, hence, in an increase in production.  
         [0109]     Additionally, the large-dimension pass-through openings permit the gas that is displaced in the solids collection chamber during the inversion of the filter cloth  22  to escape through the opening  15  in the pusher shaft  12 , the inlet pipe  51  and the inlet channel  26  while preventing a pressure build-up. For this it is helpful to build up an underpressure in the centrifugal chamber  14  before the inversion process is initiated so that when the inversion process starts, the gas to be displaced will immediately flow in the desired direction. Additionally, the space that has been freed up due to the removal of the media supply passage through the solids collection chamber can be utilized otherwise, if needed. For example, a device such as a fill level sensor, microwave transmitter, sampling device or other auxiliary device can be introduced into the centrifugal chamber  14  through the face end of the housing  1 , solids collection chamber  32 , and centrifugal chamber lid  25  within an enclosure, for example a pipe.  
         [0110]     The housing  1  enclosing the process compartment  1  is connected at its solids discharge opening  36  by means of a separable closing means  110  consisting of a top part  111  and bottom part  112  to the solids collection container  115 . In the shown coupled state, the solids collection chamber  32  forms a common space with the solid-matter collection container  115  when the flap in the closing means  110  is open, so that, when the filter cloth  22  is turned up, the solids fall through the closing means  110  into the solid-matter container  115 . After filling the solid-matter container  115 , the flap in the closing means  110  is closed and the closing means  110  is subsequently separated, during which process the housing  1 , due to its closing means top part  111  remaining on it, remains closed as gas-tight as the solid-matter container  115  with its closing means bottom part  112  remaining on it. The solid-matter container  115  can now be handled in the closed state and can be transported to its further destination while preventing cross-contamination. An additional, empty solid-matter container  115  will be docked at the separation location. With this method of operation the solids can be removed from the solids collection chamber  32  contamination-free without interruption of the production.  
         [0111]     An additional further development of the inventive inverting-filter centrifuge can be seen in  FIG. 11 . The housing  1  enclosing the process compartment is encompassed, in turn, by a glove box  130 . Through openings  131  that are connected to highly flexible gloves, an operator  134  can, through hatches that are not shown, reach into the process compartment by means of gloves  132  in the portion of the housing  1  that is indicated by the broken line. It is thus possible to perform the periodically required change of the filter cloth  22  as well as the sporadically required replacement of the centrifugal chamber seal  20  while the process compartment is closed and thus without decontamination work, since the separation between the process compartment and clean room is not suspended while this work is being performed.  
         [0112]     The not depicted hatches in the housing  1  through which the operator  134  reaches into the clean room are provided with covers that are also not depicted, which are designed such that the operator  134  can manipulate them within the glove box  130 . The operator  134  can both open and close the hatch, and it is advantageous that the hatch must be closed only dust-tight but not gas-tight since the gas-tight separation between the process compartment and clean room is effected by the glove box.  
         [0113]     In an example embodiment that is not depicted, the solid-matter container  115  is not docked to the housing  1  but positioned separately under the solids discharge opening  36 . The solid-matter container  115  in this example embodiment is lined with a plastic bag that is closed after receiving the solid matter just like the solid-matter container  115  itself. In order to prevent any cross-contamination while removing the solids from the solids collection chamber  32  and entering them into the solid-matter container  115 , the transfer region is also integrated in a glove box.  
         [0114]     In an additional example embodiment that is not shown, the solid-matter container  115  is situated in a separate glove box and is moved into the clean room  101  through a lock.  
         [0115]     The example embodiment depicted in  FIG. 11  and the example embodiments that have been only explained but are not depicted have the characteristic feature that the amount of work that has been reduced by removing the media supply equipment  120  from the clean room  101  is drastically reduced further for the decontamination work required when the housing  1  is opened, since the opening frequency is now reduced to serious malfunctions and to the safety inspections that are required in long intervals. This is an extraordinary advantage, especially when dealing with toxic or carcinogenic substances.