Patent GB-1199285-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or Relating to Freeze Drying Apparatus
Inventor: JANOUTCHIK VIACHESLAV JANSEN
IPC: A23L3/44
Filed: 1966-12-07
Abstract: 1,199,285. Freezedrying apparatus. H. J. HEINZ CO. Ltd. 24 Nov., 1967 [7 Dec., 1986], No.54835/66. Heading F4G. An apparatus for the continuous freezedrying of frozen products in containers, comprises a vacuum chamber through which the containers are advanced from an entrance airlock to an exit airlock, a series of parallel superposed heating plates which define a tortuous part in the chamber along which the containers are pushed and transfer devices operable to transfer a container from one heating plate to the next plate in the path. As shown an apparatus for the continuous freeze drying of products (e.g. foodstuffs, biological or pharmaceutical preparations) in containers 21, comprises a vacuum chamber comprising heating plates 7-13 (e.g. steam, water or electrically heated plates) and connected to vacuum and vapour condensing equipment (not shown) through outlets 6, an inlet airlock 4, an outlet airlock 5, and reciprocating pusher bars 33, 45, 61, 91 99 for moving the containers through the apparatus, the bars being driven in synchronism by motors (e.g. hydraulic, pneumatic or electric motors) 38, 53, 60, 90, 101. Bars 45 are connected to a toothed push-rod 48, the teeth of which are engaged by pinion 50 on shaft 51 rotated by motor 53. The other pusher bars are operated similarly. The inlet and outlet airlocks can be connected to the atmosphere via outlets 39 and 102 respectively, or to a source of vacuum via outlets 40 and 104 respectively. The airlocks 4, 5, are provided with pivoted sealing doors 17, 23 and 75, 92 respectively. The inlet airlock may be provided with refrigerating means. When the containers are moved through the chamber 1 from the top to the bottom heating plate the means for transferring the containers from one plate to the plate below comprises pivotable frames 64 attached to the heating plates. A container is pushed into and out of the frames when the frames are in their upper and lower positions respectively. The frames are under the control of cams 69 riding on arms 71 adjacent the heating plates, the arms being actuated by the pusher bar mechanisms. When the containers are moved from the bottom to the top heating plate the transfer means comprises frames 122, all the frames at one end being connected to a batten 127 under the control of cam roller 132. In the withdrawn position of the pusher bars the roller 132 rests on level 134 on moveable rod 133 and the batten is in such a position that the frames are in their lower position. When the bars and rod 133 are pushed the cam roller 132 rises from level 134 and the batten 127 and frames 122 are lifted. A container is pushed into and out of the frames 122 when the frames are in their lower and upper positions respectively. The containers 21 may be slid along the heating plates or rollers which are raised above the plates when the containers are to be moved. In Fig. 9 arm 117 is provided with rollers 118 and is pivotally linked with heating plate 8. When arm 71 is pushed the cams 119 ride on the surface of the arm 71 and the rollers 118 are above the surface of the heating plate 7 to aid the movement of the containers. When arm 71 is retracted the cams drop into the notches 110 and the rollers drop below the surface of the heating plate 7 so that the containers are in contact with the plate 7.