Lyophilization Tray Lid

• US 20150353248A1
• Filed: 06/10/2014
• Published: 12/10/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 06/10/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Christopher L. Hooban, Dena H. Kota, Derrell Craig Mcpherson, Robert Michael Kinter, Zachary A. Minter
• Original Assignee: Christopher L. Hooban, Dena H. Kota, Derrell Craig Mcpherson, Robert Michael Kinter, Zachary A. Minter
• Inventors: McPherson, Derrell Craig, Hooban, Christopher L., Kinter, Robert Michael, Kota, Dena H., Minter, Zachary A.
• Granted Patent: US 9,278,790 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 51/241 provided with freeze-drying means
• CPC Class Codes: F26B 5/06 the process involving freezing

Abstract

A lid assembly is provided for covering and sealing a lyophilizer tray that contains a material for freeze-drying into a product in a lyophilizer chamber. The tray has an opening defined by a peripheral lip. The lid assembly includes a first lid disposable to seal around the lip of the tray, second lid disposed on the first lid, and a filter paper disposed therebetween. The first lid includes an opening. The second lid covers the opening and includes a hole over the opening. The filter paper is disposed over the opening between the first and second lids for inhibiting the product from escaping the tray through the hole while permitting water vapor to pass therethrough. With a lyophilization stopper to seal the hole, the tray containing the product can be protected from environmental humidity even after removal from the chamber.

Claims

1. A lid assembly for covering a lyophilizer tray that contains a material for freeze-drying into a product in a lyophilizer chamber, said tray having an opening defined by a peripheral lip, said lid assembly comprising:

a first lid that includes an opening, said first lid being disposable to seal around the lip of the tray;

a second lid disposable onto said first lid to cover said opening, said second lid including a hole over said opening; and

a filter paper disposed over said opening between said first and second lids for inhibiting the product from escaping the tray through said hole while permitting water vapor to pass therethrough.

2. The lid assembly of claim 1, further comprising a gasket disposed between said first and second lids to seal an interface therebetween and to hold said filter paper.

3. The lid assembly of claim 1, further comprising a fastener disposed to secure said second lid to said first lid.

4. The lid assembly of claim 1, further comprising a lyophilization stopper that fits said hole, said stopper disposed to seal said hole within the chamber upon completion of producing the product.

5. The lid assembly of claim 1, wherein said filter paper is high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter paper.

6. The lid assembly of claim 1, wherein said first lid includes a continuous groove for engaging the lip of the tray, said groove being disposed along a distal surface that faces and seals the tray.

7. A lid assembly for covering a lyophilizer tray that contains a material for freeze-drying into a product in a lyophilizer chamber, said tray having an opening defined by a peripheral lip, said lid assembly comprising:

a first lid that includes an opening, said first lid being disposable to seal around the lip of the tray;

a second lid disposable onto said first lid to cover said opening, said second lid including a hole over said opening;

a gasket disposed between said first and second lids;

a filter paper attached to said gasket and disposed over said opening between said first and second lids for inhibiting the product from escaping the tray through said hole while permitting water vapor to pass therethrough; and

a fastener disposed to secure said first and second lids together.

8. The lid assembly of claim 7, further comprising a lyophilization stopper that fits atop said hole, said stopper disposed to seal said hole within the chamber upon completion of producing the product.

9. The lid assembly of claim 7, wherein said filter paper is high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter paper.

10. The lid assembly of claim 7, wherein said first lid includes a continuous groove for engaging the lip of the tray, said groove being disposed along a distal surface that faces and seals the tray.

11. A method for containing, within a lyophilization tray, a freeze dried product produced from a material subjected to lyophilization in a lyophilization chamber, said method comprising:

disposing the material into the lyophilizer tray, which has a peripheral lip;

placing a lid assembly over the lyophilizer tray, wherein said lid assembly includes

a first lid that includes an opening, said first lid being disposable to seal around said lip of the tray;

a second lid disposable onto said first lid to cover said opening, said second lid including a hole over said opening; and

a filter paper disposed over said opening between said first and second lids for inhibiting the product from escaping the tray through said hole while permitting water vapor to pass therethrough;

disposing a lyophilization stopper atop said hole while enabling vapor to escape from the tray;

inserting the tray and said lid assembly into the chamber;

lyophilizing the material in the chamber to produce the product;

releasing said vacuum inside the chamber upon completion of lyophilization; and

pressing said stopper atop said hole to seal said product inside the tray.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein said lid assembly includes a gasket disposed between said first and second lids to seal an interface therebetween and to hold said filter paper.

13. The method of claim 11, further including removeably attaching said first and second lids together with a fastener.

14. The method of claim 11, further including aligning a groove along a outer periphery of a distal surface of said first lid with a lip atop the lyophilizer tray.