HEATED SHELF APPARATUS AND FREEZE DRY CART USING SAME
First Claim
1. A freeze-drying system comprising:
- a vented cart configured for operation in a pressure controlled chamber; and
a plurality of heated shelves disposed in the vented cart, at least one heated shelf of the plurality of heated shelves including;
a first planar sheet formed from a thermally conductive material and having a top configured to conduct heat to a tray when the tray is resting on the first planar sheet;
a second planar sheet disposed opposite the first planar sheet; and
a heating element secured between the first planar sheet and the second planar sheet, the heating element having a surface disposed in thermally conductive contact with the first planar sheet.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A freeze-drying system is disclosed which includes a vented cart configured for operation in a pressure-controlled chamber, and a plurality of heated shelves disposed in the vented cart. At least one heated shelf of the plurality of heated shelves is provided. The heated shelf includes a first planar sheet formed from a thermally conductive material having a top configured to conduct heat to a tray resting on the top, a second planar sheet disposed opposite the first planar sheet, and a heating element secured between the first and second planar sheets. The heating element has a surface disposed in thermally conductive contact with the first planar sheet.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A freeze-drying system comprising:
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a vented cart configured for operation in a pressure controlled chamber; and a plurality of heated shelves disposed in the vented cart, at least one heated shelf of the plurality of heated shelves including; a first planar sheet formed from a thermally conductive material and having a top configured to conduct heat to a tray when the tray is resting on the first planar sheet; a second planar sheet disposed opposite the first planar sheet; and a heating element secured between the first planar sheet and the second planar sheet, the heating element having a surface disposed in thermally conductive contact with the first planar sheet. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A cart configured for operation within a pressure controlled freeze-drying chamber, the cart comprising:
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first and second opposed sidewalls; a top wall extending between the first and second opposed sidewalls; a bottom wall extending between the first and second opposed sidewalls; a rear wall extending between the first and second opposed sidewalls, the top wall, and the bottom wall, wherein the rear wall, first and second opposed sidewalls, the top wall, and the bottom wall, define a processing chamber that is configured for venting to ambient atmosphere when placed within a pressure controlled dry-freeze chamber; a plurality of rails disposed in pairs in the processing chamber proximate the first and second opposed sidewalls; and a plurality of heated shelves disposed between and supported by respective pairs of the plurality of rails, wherein at least one heated shelf of the plurality of heated shelves includes a sandwiched arrangement having a heating element secured between a first planar sheet and a second planar sheet, wherein the first planar sheet is formed from a thermally conductive material and is configured to conductively transfer heat from the heating element to a tray when the tray is resting on the first planar sheet. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A heated shelf for use in a freeze-drying apparatus, the heated shelf comprising:
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a first planar sheet, the first planar sheet being formed from a thermally conductive material; a second planar sheet; and a heating element, the heating element being secured between the first planar sheet and the second planar sheet, the heating element being configured to transfer heat from the heating element by conduction to a tray resting on the first planar sheet.
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Specification