Patent ID: 7467482

Claim:
A method for lyophilizing a solution, the method comprising: removably loading one or more containers into a tub; depositing the solution into the one or more containers; positioning a covering plate comprising one or more protuberances projecting from an underside surface thereof to align with an opening of the one or more containers, the one or more protuberances adapted to fit inside without contacting at least a portion of the one or more containers; covering the one or more containers with the covering plate before placing the tub and the covering plate inside a lyophilizing apparatus or covering the one or more containers with the covering plate after placing the tub and the covering plate inside the lyophilizing apparatus, the one or more protuberances engaged inside the portion of the one or more containers; at least partially lyophilizing the solution by cooling the solution and applying a vacuum to the solution, wherein at least partially lyophilizing the solution allows vapor to escape through an annular gap between each of the one or more protuberances and a side wall of each of the one or more containers; and removing the covering plate from the one or more containers after the lyophilization of the solution.